Hayes: Network Rail site used for 'industrial scale' fly-tipping

Land managed by Network Rail is being used as an illegal rubbish dump, video footage shows.

The site in Hayes, west London, was initially used during the construction of the Elizabeth line.

A man who works nearby - who said the fly-tipping was on an "industrial scale" - first noticed caravans parking on the plot on 10 October.

He then noticed vans coming in and out, offloading household waste, mattresses, washing machines and building debris.

The man, who wants to remain anonymous, said he saw about 50 to 60 van loads of rubbish being dumped at the Dawley Road site, which he reported to Network Rail and Hillingdon Council.

Mountains of rubbish have been deposited at the plot

He said the site's "customers" soon started to obscure their vehicles' number-plates when entering and exiting, but added that about 15 to 20 registration numbers had already been recorded by him and his colleagues..

"The vans kept coming and coming, their frequency increased over the last week," he said. "The people running the site realised we had been filming them; they had notified their customers, so the vans started arriving with their registration numbers covered.

"We also noticed that when the vans were coming in and out of the lot, they were giving something to the people running the site, but from the distance we couldn't see what it was."

Concerns have also been raised about rubbish getting blown on to the train tracks

He added that a professional waste company with its logo clearly visible on its vans was seen dumping rubbish at the site.

The man said he and his colleagues reported the matter to the council, the police and Network Rail but no-one claimed responsibility - "everyone said that it wasn't their problem," he explained.

"We felt helpless. When fly-tipping happens on a massive industrial scale, there is no-one there to report it to."

Anyone found fly-tipping could face a "hefty fine", Network Rail said

A Network Rail spokesperson said: "We are aware of the recent fly-tipping on Dawley Road in Hayes, which was reported to both British Transport Police and our security partners Land Sheriffs, who are taking action to find those responsible and hold them accountable.

"Fly-tipping is a criminal offence and anyone found to be engaging in this behaviour could face a hefty fine. Unsightly waste is also a health and environmental hazard.

"Anyone who sees fly-tipping happening on the railway should immediately contact the British Transport Police."

Hillingdon Council said it was matter for Network Rail. British Transport Police has been contacted for comment.