Media centre

Wednesday 8 Mar 2006

MEDIA INVITATION / PHOTOCALL: MILES BETTER - NETWORK RAIL BANS GRAFFITI AND MESS

Region & Route:

| Southern

Date:                           Thursday 9 March 2006 Time:                          10.30 am Location:                    Reading Station, Reading Event:                         Massive clean-up of Reading Station begins Media contact:          Victoria Shooter 020 7904 4380/ 07767 672748 Train passengers and residents of Reading will get a sight for sore eyes from today. Network Rail is carrying out a massive clean-up of the railway and cracking down on vandals, fly-tippers and graffiti artists. A team of 50, armed with paint brushes, litter pickers and a pressure washer will spend a week thoroughly clearing the railway line one mile either side of Reading station of all graffiti, litter, scrap and overgrown vegetation. Greg Lunn, Network Rail’s Territory Maintenance Director said, “This enormous clean up will make the railway in Reading much more presentable and deserving of residents and visitors. “This isn’t just a spring clean; after we’ve done this work, we will be creating a ‘zero tolerance’ zone to prevent vandals, fly tippers and trespassers from ruining the look of the area. We will use our own resources and liaise with the station staff at Reading, the British Transport Police and Reading Borough Council to achieve this.” Rob Wilson, MP for Reading East said, “I am delighted to support this Network Rail initiative. Reading Station and its approaches are for many people their first impression of Reading. It is important therefore that not only is the scourge of graffiti tackled but that Reading Station presents a welcoming face to visitors and commuters.” Sonia Crosby, First Great Western’s Station Manager at Reading said: “We’re fully supportive of Network Rail’s work to improve the environment beyond the station boundaries, where our responsibilities end. This will mean a more welcoming approach to Reading Station for our customers, and help us create a ‘gateway’ to the town. “The zero tolerance policy complements our measures to improve cleanliness and security at the station, which have enabled us to meet strict Government criteria and achieve ‘Secure Station Status’ for Reading.”