PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Railways (23 March 2021)

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that (a) graffiti and (b) fly tipping are adequately tackled on railway (i) mainlines and (ii) branch lines.

Asked by:
Sir John Hayes (Conservative)

Graffiti and fly-tipping on the railway are serious issues. The department is working with Network Rail and the British Transport Police to ensure that they are adequately tackled across the railway, on both main lines and branch lines.

Both Network Rail and the British Transport Police are tackling graffiti on the railway and working to ensure the railway is as safe, clean and welcoming as it can be. There are a number of national working groups which meet regularly, including with Train Operating Companies, to share best practice on tackling graffiti. Focus areas for both organisations include the prevention, reduction, removal and policing of graffiti. New potentially beneficial technologies are being used and considered to help tackle graffiti.

Nationally Network Rail has a number of standards and processes in place setting out guidance for Train Operating Companies and Network Rail regions on dealing with waste fly-tipped on Network Rail land. This includes guidance on ensuring all waste is removed as quickly and safely as possible, and on how to deal with areas of frequent incidents, such as installing automatic lighting and CCTV, and increasing fence heights.

Answered by:
Chris Heaton-Harris (Conservative)
29 March 2021