Calls for prosecutions after Peterborough’s Nene Valley Railway targeted by fly-tippers

Volunteers at the Wansford-based station filled two wagons worth of waste after organising a big clear up by the Belsize Avenue crossing in Woodston.

The fly-tippers also left rubbish at a nearby alley which was cleared up by Aragon Direct Services, the city council-owned company which is responsible for removing waste.

However, the fly-tip on the rail line had to be cleared by Nene Valley Railway itself at its own cost as it was on private land.

The steam enthusiasts had been alerted to the problem by Conservative councillor for Fletton and Woodston Andy Coles, who took part in the clear-up.

He said: “After I received complaints from residents about the fly-tip and an overgrown alley leading to the Belsize Avenue crossing I was delighted that Aragon were able to clear the pathway to the crossing almost immediately, but as the railway is private property the council couldn’t take responsibility for the mess there.

“Thankfully, Nene Valley Railway were very good at putting together a large work crew of their volunteers and I met with them on Wednesday at the crossing. In about three hours the line was cleared - and they even picked up some waste on the access road too which they didn’t have to do, but it meant there was no danger of somebody throwing it on the line later.

“What appals me is that this brilliant charity has to dispose of this waste themselves and pay for the privilege. It’s highly irresponsible for the dumpers to put the cost of this on the charity. Luckily, we found a few names and addresses in the rubbish which I will be passing on to our enforcement team to see if the people responsible can be traced and prosecuted.

“I would ask local people please to report anyone seen chucking rubbish here. It’s not just unnecessary, it’s criminal, anti-social behaviour and needs to stop.”

Kim Shaw, deputy general manager at Nene Valley Railway, said: “Fly-tipping on the line past Belsize Avenue in Woodston has been a long-standing problem for Nene Valley Railway.

“Regular inspection patrols report small instances of fly-tipping, however, it was the report on January 10 from Cllr Coles of the massive amount dumped on our track that really brought us into action to arrange the clear-up train.

“The rubbish filled two wagons and has currently been removed to our Wansford sidings to await final disposal to landfill. This will bring an unexpected cost to the charity and we would love to hear from any local waste disposal company who would sponsor the clearance and help the city council and ourselves share the success.

“We understand that the council are in the process of tracing some of the fly-tipped material back to its owners and we would welcome prosecutions.

“Our passengers buy their train tickets in the full expectation that their money will be ploughed back into railway preservation and the continuance of steam trains running between Wansford and Peterborough. We should not have to spend their money on clearing illegal activities.”