London TravelWatch, the watchdog for transport users in and around London, has claimed success for its seven-year campaign to clean up London’s railway lines and stations.

An agreement between the London boroughs and Network Rail marks the end of a lengthy campaign to get co-operation on clearing rubbish from embankments and around stations.

Sharon Grant, Chair, London TravelWatch said: “We know that cleanliness around stations and railways lines is important to passengers, and litter-strewn banks are a blight on the local environment. Network Rail has a duty to keep its land clear of rubbish and the local authorities to enforce it, but this has not been taken seriously enough in the past.

Seven years ago, London TravelWatch issued Good Riddance to Bad Rubbish - guidance for the public and rail passengers telling them how to use the legal system to get rid of litter on railway land - but they often met exasperating resistance.

Sharon Grant said: “Clearly, a more pro-active approach was needed, and we are delighted to have been able to bring the relevant authorities together to reach this agreement. We look forward to seeing significant improvements in managing litter, and to a cleaner, more attractive track and station environment in the future.”

For media enquiries, please contact Jo deBank in the London TravelWatch press office on 020 7726 9953 or 07734 055494

The voice of London's transport users
9 November 2009