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Tuesday 18 Mar 2025

Striking installation at London King’s Cross to encourage more people to report fly-tipping

Region & Route:

Eastern

| Eastern: East Coast

A massive mound of rubbish has been displayed at London King’s Cross to highlight the scourge of fly-tipping on the railway.

The stark installation appeared at the station today (Tuesday 18 March) to mark Global Recycling Day. It is constructed from some of the most commonly fly-tipped items, including white goods, mattresses and electrical equipment.

Fly-tipping on the railway can affect the running of the network and is a hazard to wildlife. The installation at King’s Cross is designed to encourage members of the public to report fly-tipping incidents to their local council, Crimestoppers or the British Transport Police.

But new research by Network Rail has shown that nearly half of Generation Z (46%) don't know that fly-tipping is against the law, compared with 8% of Boomers.

Dumping rubbish is classed as environmental vandalism and – alongside offences like cable theft – can have knock-on effects on passenger journeys as Network Rail repairs the damage.

Waste can attract rats which chew on cables – leading to signal failures and even accidents, while metal cans and foil can cause short circuits in the railway 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. 

Aun Abidi, London King’s Cross station manager, said: “Seeing this mountain of rubbish here at the station provides a stark reminder about the problem of fly-tipping, which wreaks havoc on our railways and environment – preventing passengers from getting where they need to be, 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, report it 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.”

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

Click here to find out more about the work Network Rail is doing to tackle fly-tipping on the railway.