The clean-up operation in Wango Lane, Merseyside, was completed on 30 December and the “huge amount” of illegally dumped waste included building materials, white goods and mattresses.
It blocked a 100-metre length of railway access road, preventing staff from being able to maintain crucial railway equipment.
Working in partnership with specialist waste removal firm Reliance Service Solutions, Network Rail says it managed to recycle 42% of the waste, with the remainder sent to landfill.
Network Rail says it is now cracking down on dangerous dumping in the area by installing 24-hour surveillance equipment and added security.
Any individuals or vehicle registrations captured trespassing will be immediately passed to police, Network Rail says.
‘Justice’
Allan Gibbs-Monaghan, infrastructure maintenance delivery manager for Merseyside, said: “The constant clearing up of illegal fly tipping on railway land significantly reduces our taxpayer-funded maintenance spend which is used to keep the railway in a good condition for economically important passenger journeys across the Merseyrail network.
“Our message to railway fly-tippers is clear: we will hunt you down and apply the full weight of the law to bring your crimes to justice.”
Staff
Network Rail added that clearing up the industrial-scale grot also diverted maintenance staff away from other critical work to keep Merseyrail trains running across the Liverpool City Region.
The waste was spotted by a Merseyrail train driver who reported it to Network Rail’s Liverpool Delivery Unit.
The contractor said it was one of the largest cases of illegal fly-tipping they had ever seen.
Chris Vermakk, managing director from Reliance Service Solutions, said: “We have been set many challenges before but nothing like this. It took some real planning and working closely with Network Rail to complete the work. This is one of the biggest fly-tipping jobs we’ve ever had.
“Fortunately, the waste dumped was not hazardous, but sometimes it can contain extremely dangerously materials like asbestos. In some cases, food waste is present which attracts pests.
“We hope we don’t see fly-tipping on this scale again but will continue to support Network Rail should they need us in future as they continue to fight against fly-tipping blight.”
Enforcement
Fly-tipping is a criminal offence and carries a fine of up to £1,000. Network Rail says it uses covert tactics and works closely with the British Transport Police to catch criminal fly-tippers.
Hidden cameras have been installed in known ‘grot spots’ to gather evidence so those responsible can be taken to court.
Chief inspector Jayne Lewis, from British Transport Police, said: “Fly-tipping is a blight on the environment and the railway. It is an unsightly nuisance which costs money to clear up. Far from being a victimless crime, items dumped on the railway pose a real safety risk to passengers and staff. Additionally, money spent on disposing of the rubbish could otherwise be invested in the rail network.
“We continue to work together with our partners and increase patrols in the area.”
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