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Thursday 12 Aug 2021

What a load of rubbish: rail workers tackle Birmingham fly-tippers

Region & Route:

North West & Central

| North West & Central: Central

West Midlands rail workers have cleared over 60 bags of fly-tipped waste and litter dumped beside railway lines in Birmingham. 

Over two days, Network Rail staff collected the illegally dumped rubbish from Anthony Road and Cherrywood Road in Alum Rock.  

The clean-up took place after Network Rail was contacted about the huge amount of rubbish and waste on the railway.  

Not only does fly-tipping create an eyesore for local communities but also causes serious safety hazards for the maintenance workers who have to clear it, and potentially the safe running of trains for passengers. 

Allun Edge, maintenance protection coordinator at Network Rail, said: “It is concerning and disappointing how often we receive reports of litter and fly-tipping in our local communities. 

“Not only is illegally dumping waste like this hazardous to our staff who have to clear it up and a risk to railway passengers, it’s also a blight on the environment. It costs millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money to clear waste like this every year – money which should be spent improving journeys for passengers."

Fly-tipping is a criminal offence and carries a fine of up to £1,000.

Network Rail uses covert tactics and works closely with the British Transport Police to catch criminal fly-tippers. 

Hidden cameras are installed in known 'grot spots' to gather evidence so those responsible can be taken to court. 

Chief Inspector Chris Hodgkiss, from British Transport Police, said: "Fly-tipping is sometimes seen as an eyesore or a nuisance, but it is a hugely anti-social criminal offence.  

"It is costly to clean up and a purely selfish act. BTP works closely with Network Rail and many other partners to actively support prosecution of offenders, using a variety of methods." 

Millions of pounds is spent every year removing litter, graffiti and fly-tipping – money that could be better spent improving the railway for passengers. 

Network Rail and the Department for Transport are committed to making the railways more welcoming for passengers. 

Clean, litter-free environments make people feel safer, which is particularly important as the rail industry welcomes passengers back to rail. 

For more information on how Network Rail tackles fly tipping visit https://www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/living-by-the-railway/litter-and-fly-tipping/ 

Incidents of fly tipping can be reported to Network Rail’s 24-hour national helpline on 03457 11 41 41. 

If you have information on or see anyone fly-tipping contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40.