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Wednesday 7 Jun 2006

NETWORK RAIL GIVES LIVERPOOL A SPRING CLEAN

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People in Aigburth are benefiting from a cleaner area thanks to a clean-up by Network Rail, which saw the removal of two tonnes of illegally dumped fly-tipping. During the removal the company’s maintenance team removed bikes, televisions, kitchen appliances, tyres and house-hold rubbish from the rear of Beechwood Gardens. Andrew Skidmore, Area General Manager (Liverpool) said: “Illegal fly-tipping costs Network Rail millions of pounds each year and is a huge waste of time and resources, which we would rather focus in other areas.  This anti-social behaviour not only blights the railway environment and creates a bad impression for the local area, but the rubbish can also be used by vandals to obstruct and damage passing trains.” In England and Wales more than 60,000 tonnes of waste is fly-tipped every year. In addition to the aesthetic problems caused by litter and refuse, waste food can attract vermin. Rats can be responsible for damage to signal cables and other equipment, which can lead to system failures and train delays. Network Rail works closely with the British Transport Police to catch offenders. Anyone caught fly-tipping on Network Rail land are liable to be prosecuted and fined up to £1,000. Large household items, like furniture or electrical items that are no longer required can be collected free of charge in Liverpool through the council’s Bulky Bobs service, who will collect the item from your property and re-use, restore or recycle it. More details about waste collection services are available from Liverpool Direct on 0151 233 3001. Local people can report instances of fly-tipping, trespass or any other anti-social behaviour by calling free on the British Transport Police Hotline on 0800 40 50 40 or through the Network Rail Helpdesk on 08457 11 41 11 (calls are charges at a local rate).