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Tuesday 18 Mar 2025

Get litter-ate: A quarter of Brits don’t know fly-tipping is a crime reveals new research by Network Rail

Region & Route:

Southern

| Southern: Sussex

• Mind the ‘generation gap’: only 54% of Gen Z know fly-tipping is a crime compared to 92% of boomers
• Since 2021, there have been 152 fly tipping incidents reported across Network Rail’s Sussex route.
• Just 40% of people in London know that fly tipping can cause transport delays, and only 34 % of Gen Z.
• Network Rail releases new research to highlight the negative impact fly-tipping has on the railway and wildlife habitats

New research* commissioned by Network Rail to mark Global Recycling Day (Tuesday 18 March 2025) reveals nearly a quarter (23%) of Brits don’t know fly-tipping is a crime you can be fined or prosecuted for. The findings show Gen Z need to clean up their knowledge as just over half (54%) of this cohort knew fly-tipping was a crime compared to 82% of Gen Xers and 92%of Boomers.

The results come as Network Rail unveils a stark new installation at King’s Cross station highlighting the impact of fly-tipping on the railway. The structure, in place for Tuesday 18 March, is constructed from items most commonly fly-tipped including white goods, mattresses and electrical items.

Alongside the likes of cable theft and graffiti, fly-tipping is classified as a form of railway vandalism. It can have a knock-on effect on passenger journeys as Network Rail repairs any damage.

However, the research found over half (55%) of people do not realise fly-tipping causes transport delays. In London only 40% of people knew that fly tipping can cause transport delays and just 34% of Gen Z, while 63% of people in London knew that fly tipping had a negative impact on the environment, compared with the national average (78%).

Since 2021, across Network Rail’s Sussex route – which includes the Brighton Main Line and its branch lines – there have been 152 fly tipping incidents reported to Network Rail from members of the public. In 2020/2021 there were 42, with 36 in 2021/2022, 40 in 2022/2023 and 34 in 2023/2024.

More widely, across Network Rail’s Southern region which serves rail passengers and freight operators from Devon in the West to Kent in the East right across the South of England, there have been a total of 797 reported incidents in the same time period.

Waste can attract rats that chew on cables leading to signal failures, and even accidents, while metal cans and foil can cause short circuits in the railways signalling system.

Network Rail works hard throughout the year cleaning up after fly-tippers to maintain a reliable and efficient railway, working closely with the British Transport Police to investigate and prosecute or fine people who commit fly-tipping. The railway network has a range of preventative measures in place including CCTV to monitor sites, fencing at fly-tipping hotspots and “nobblers” which puncture tyres inside and outside access gates to railway land. 

Fly-tipping is a source of pollution, a potential danger to public health and a hazard to wildlife. Nevertheless, the research also shows one in five (22%) people do not believe fly-tipping had a negative impact on the environment. Despite their reputation as the most environmentally friendly generation, 42% of Gen Z wrongly believe this compared to 1 in 10 (11%) Boomers.  

Over the last four years Network Rail has received nearly 4,000 reports of fly-tipping on the railway network from members of the public, with a 3.5% increase last year.**

However, there is more work to be done to encourage the public to report incidents to the relevant authority.  

One in five people (22%) have witnessed someone fly-tipping and a quarter had witnessed fly-tipped waste on or near a railway (23%). Yet only a third (36%) of people who have spotted it said they had reported someone fly-tipping waste to an authority such as the local council, Crimestoppers, or a transport authority.

Paul Langley, Network Rail’s Southern region head of security, crime and resilience, said: “Over the last four years across Network Rail’s Southern region, we’ve received nearly 800 reports of fly-tipping on the railway network.

“Not only is fly-tipping a source of pollution, a potential danger to public health and hazard to wildlife, it also affects the operational running of the railway.

“We’re committed to running a safe, reliable and efficient railway and we work extremely hard throughout the year cleaning up after fly-tippers, and we urge everyone to report any incidents of fly-tipping on the railway.”

Jo Lewington, Network Rail’s chief environment and sustainability officer, said: “Fly-tipping wreaks havoc on our railways and environment, stopping passengers getting where they need to be on time and wrecking wildlife habitats.

“Network Rail works closely with local authorities to prevent this crime and prosecute those responsible. If you see someone fly-tipping, it’s imperative you report this to your local council, Crimestoppers or the British Transport Police – by working together we can help protect the environment and limit the impact of this selfish act.”

Chief Inspector Adam Swallow, British Transport Police, said: "Fly-tipping is a criminal and selfish act which can cause delays to the railway network and harm the environment. The repercussions of fly-tipping are serious, with those caught facing significant fines or even jail time.

“I would urge anyone who sees this callous behaviour to report it so we can safeguard our railways and our wildlife by calling 0800 40 50 40 or by texting 61016.”

To find out more about the work Network Rail is doing to tackle fly-tipping on the railway, visit:  https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/looking-after-the-railway/litter-and-fly-tipping/