Fly-tipping negatively impacts the railway and wildlife – but many people don’t realise it’s also a crime.
Nearly a quarter of Brits don’t know fly-tipping is a crime you can be fined or prosecuted for, according to research we carried out for Global Recycling Day.
In fact, only 54% of Gen Z know this compared with 82% of Gen Xers and 92% of Boomers. Fly-tipping is classified as a form of railway vandalism – just like cable theft and graffiti.
And we’re highlighting the impact of fly-tipping on the railway by unveiling a stark installation at London King’s Cross station. The structure is made from items most commonly fly-tipped including white goods, mattresses and electrical items.
Journey delays
Our research also found over half of people don’t realise fly-tipping causes train delays. It can have a knock-on effect on your trains as we repair any damage. For example, waste can attract rats that chew on cables – leading to signal failures and even accidents. Metal cans and foil may cause short circuits in the railway’s signalling system.
We work hard throughout the year cleaning up after fly-tippers. It’s essential to maintain a reliable and efficient railway. And we work closely with British Transport Police to investigate and prosecute or fine people who commit fly-tipping.
We also have a range of preventative measures in place. These include CCTV to monitor sites and fencing at fly-tipping hotspots and ‘nobblers’, which puncture tyres inside and outside access gates to railway land.
Reporting fly-tippers
Fly-tipping is a source of pollution, a potential danger to public health and a hazard to wildlife. Still, our research shows one in five people don’t believe fly-tipping has a negative impact on the environment.
Over the last four years we’ve received nearly 4,000 reports of fly-tipping on the railway, with a 3.5% increase in 2023 to 2024 compared with 2022 to 2023. But more needs to be done to encourage people to report incidents.
One in five people have witnessed someone fly-tipping and quarter have witnessed fly-tipped waste on or near a railway. Yet only a third of people who’ve spotted it said they reported someone fly-tipping waste to an authority such as the local council, Crimestoppers or a transport authority.
Jo Lewington, a chief environment and sustainability officer at Network Rail, said: “Fly-tipping wreaks havoc on our railways and environment, stopping passengers getting where they need to be on time and wrecking wildlife habitats.
“Network Rail works closely with local authorities to prevent this crime and prosecute those responsible. If you see someone fly-tipping, it’s imperative you report this to your local council, Crimestoppers or the British Transport Police – by working together we can help protect the environment and limit the impact of this selfish act.”
Chief Inspector Adam Swallow at British Transport Police said: “Fly-tipping is a criminal and selfish act which can cause delays to the railway network and harm the environment. The repercussions of fly tipping are serious, with those caught facing significant fines or even jail time.
“I would urge anyone who sees this callous behaviour to report it so we can safeguard our railways and our wildlife by calling 0800 40 50 40 or by texting 61016.”
You can find out more about the work we’re doing to tackle fly-tipping on the railway at: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/looking-after-the-railway/litter-and-fly-tipping/
