Media centre

Monday 3 Apr 2017

Taxpayers foot the bill as Network Rail clears 250 tonnes of rubbish from the railway

Region & Route:

| North West & Central

Network Rail is removing around 250 tonnes of fly-tipped waste which has been dumped on the railway in Telford.

The industrial-scale dumping has been a blight on the local area – minutes away from the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site - since it happened in December 2016.

Since then Network Rail has been working with the Environment Agency to gather information to identify those responsible.

With evidence gathered and investigations ongoing, work is underway to clear the waste which will cost Network Rail - and ultimately the taxpayer - £40,000 to dispose of.

Allun Edge, of Network Rail, said: “It is disgusting that people think it is ok to abuse the environment and dump rubbish like this on the railway.

“We are dealing with fly-tipping on an industrial scale, somewhere in the region of 250 tonnes, which is costing Network Rail, and ultimately the taxpayer, £40,000 to get rid of.

“This money would be better spent providing a better and more reliable railway and we are committed to doing all we can to help identify those responsible.”

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “Our investigations into the illegally dumped waste on Network Rail land near Telford are continuing. We thoroughly investigate every illegal waste site which can often take a number of months as investigations are very complex."

Anyone who has a problem caused by litter or fly-tipping on the railway can contact Network Rail’s National Helpline on 08457 11 41 41.

If members of the public see or suspect illegal waste activities, report it anonymously to Crimestoppers: www.crimestoppers-uk.org or call 0800 555 111.

Notes:

Environment Agency:
Waste crime is a serious issue which diverts as much as £1 billion per annum from legitimate business and the Treasury. Since April 2011 the Environment Agency has invested £65.2 million in addressing it.