Media centre

Wednesday 11 Oct 2017

Network Rail to carry out major clean up of railway in Richmond Hill

Region & Route:

| Eastern

Piles of rubbish which have been illegally dumped onto the high railway embankment in Richmond Hill will be removed by Network Rail in a move to clean up the area.

The litter, which has been left to rot and may attract rats, has created an eyesore for residents and rail passengers on the approach to Leeds station. Not only does the rubbish cause a blot on the landscape, it can also interfere with the running of the railway and create delays for passengers using the line. 

In order to improve the appearance of the area, a team from Network Rail will remove the rubbish and dispose of it properly, as well as installing new fencing to prevent it building up in the future.

Kieran Dunkin, principal programme sponsor at Network Rail, said: “The railway is not a dumping ground for unwanted items and it's incredibly thoughtless to throw rubbish onto the line.  Not only is putting litter on the tracks dangerous, particularly if those doing it are trespassing, it’s also illegal and we work closely with the British Transport Police to stop this type of behaviour.

"The fly-tipping is one of the first things which passengers see when approaching Leeds and is a real blight on the landscape for both them and those living nearby. This work will make the area look much more pleasant for residents and provide a better welcome to those visiting the city."

Network Rail will also remove vegetation along the line in preparation for the TransPennine Route Upgrade, which, once complete, will see faster and more regular journeys across the Pennines.

The vegetation removal will take place overnight on Saturdays between 28 October and 2 December; it will take place overnight as this is when it causes the least disruption to train services. There will be some road closures during the work and Network Rail will write to residents with further details of these. 

Those who wish to find out more about the removal of fly-tipping and vegetation can attend a drop-in event on Thursday, 12 October at Richmond Hill Community Centre between 5pm and 7pm. Workers from Network Rail will be on hand to answer any questions which residents may have.

Kieran added: "We appreciate that working on or near the railway can occasionally disturb those who live nearby, which is why we are inviting all of our neighbours to meet with us and find out how they may be affected.”

Anyone who wishes to find out more about either piece of work, and are unable to attend the event, should visit www.networkrail.co.uk/contact or call the Network Rail 24-hour National Helpline on 03457 11 41 41.