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Wednesday 26 Mar 2025

Network Rail steps up efforts to tackle fly-tipping across Anglia as public urged to act

Region & Route:

Eastern: Anglia

Network Rail is urging the public to stay vigilant and report fly-tipping to help maintain a cleaner, safer railway for everyone and help reduce disruption to rail services.

Fly-tipping, along with cable theft and graffiti, is a form of railway vandalism that disrupts passenger journeys and damages infrastructure. New research* commissioned by Network Rail has uncovered a gap in public awareness; nearly a quarter (23%) of Britons do not realise that fly-tipping is a criminal offence, punishable by fines or prosecution.

The generational divide is notable—while 92% of Boomers and 82% of Gen X recognise fly-tipping as a crime, only 54% of Gen Z are aware of its legal consequences. 55% of respondents were unaware that fly tipping directly contributes to transport delays. Waste left on railway lines attracts rats, which chew through cables and cause signal failures, while discarded metal cans and foil can trigger short circuits, creating additional safety risks.

Although incidents of fly-tipping are relatively lower in the Anglia region, Network Rail remains committed to tackling the issue. A coordinated approach involving external security teams and the British Transport Police (BTP) is in place to enhance visibility in high-risk areas, deter offenders, and improve response times through targeted patrols.

Technology is also being used to monitor problem areas and identify offenders, including the use of cameras, motion sensors, and other surveillance tools to gather intelligence and aid enforcement. Further preventative measures, such as better fencing, securing access points, and enhancing compound security, are also being put in place to reduce future incidents.

Beyond operational disruptions, fly-tipping also poses an environmental concern, impacting public health and endangering wildlife. However, 22% of people do not believe fly-tipping harms the environment—an attitude particularly prevalent among Gen Z, where 42% hold this misconception, compared to just 11% of Boomers.

Over the past four years, Network Rail has received nearly 4,000 public reports of fly-tipping on railway property, with incidents rising by 3.5% last year** alone. Despite this ongoing issue, public response remains low.

While 22% of people have witnessed fly-tipping and 23% have spotted waste near or on railway tracks, only 36% reported these incidents to authorities such as local councils, Crimestoppers, or transport officials.

 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/