On most days I walk to work using a railway footbridge in Spalding called Steppingstone Railway Footbridge. It is a very popular bridge as it connects up the Wygate area of Spalding with the Town Centre and is used by pedestrians and cyclists of all ages.
Over the years as Spalding has changed one of the challenges that our community is facing is that of litterbugs. People who thoughtlessly discard litter without thinking of the consequences. Eventually sooner or later someone has to pick it up.
I gave the bridge a thorough clean a couple of years ago and I was quite pleased with the end results even if it did cost me a broom!
Since then thanks to the sterling efforts of other volunteers, it is longer the mud bath for your feet that it once was.
However, no volunteer or paid council employee can do anything about the issue I am highlighting. Litter that has been discarded over the bridge and is now adorning land owned by Network Rail. It is now a complete eyesore.
It is a statutory duty of Network Rail to clean up litter on their land. They acknowledge this on their website
Under this very busy footbridge in Spalding they have failed to do so. This bridge connects the Spalding town centre with the Wygate area of Spalding and is used by families and individuals of all ages.
Unfortunately it has also at times seen antisocial behaviour in the form of street drinking which has resulted in a build up of cans and bottles over a number of years. Spalding has had a litter problem in recent years and volunteers are now making efforts to address this.
In 2012 Network Rail made efforts to clear the site and sought to work with British Transport Police to tackle those responsible. Calls were also made for additional litter bins. Whilst efforts were made to improve the bridge there has been a failure to maintain the land on a regular basis.
Underneath the vegetation which by some miracle has continued to grow,the amount of litter is now huge.I took this photo in 2016 when Network Rail decided to cut back the vegetation which has now grown back.
Is this acceptable to you?
I don't find it acceptable and have tried to do something about it seeing as our local Councillors have failed in their efforts and seemingly given up. They certainly are not making much public noises about it.
- In 2018 I reported the issue to Network Rail only to receive a response to the effect that that no manpower was available.
- Last month I launched a petition which has received a response from Network Rail advising that they will pass it down again to the local area team.
The fact that they acknowledge that it is something that they should do something about is to their credit, but I am concerned that I will be fobbed off again, which is why I am making this public call. Please sign my petition.
The more who sign my petition the more that they will have to take notice.
My petition not only calls for action to deal with the immediate problem, but also calls on Network Rail, British Transport Police and South Holland District Council to commit to a long term plan to prevent the problem occurring again.
My petition can be found on Change and I call on all who care about our town to sign it.
Finally a message to those who drop litter:-
Put it in the bin!
