Four of Haringey’s stations are set for a major clean up after Cllr Lynne Featherstone met with Network Rail representative Mick Murphy to show him the rubbish and flying-tipping problems at Harringay, Hornsey, Alexandra Palace and Bowes Park stations on Monday. The meeting was called by Councillor Featherstone following a huge number of complaints from residents complaining of litter, fly-tipping and broken fencing around local railways and stations.

Following the site visits, Mr Murphy agreed that litter and dumped materials at all four stations would be cleared. Ms Featherstone has long battled to establish who is responsible for rubbish and dumping at the beleaguered stations. Whilst the train operator (WAGN) was technically responsible for litter and rubbish within 100 metres of the station platform – this only covers material that may have blown from the platform, and not the acute dumping problems near the sites. The Lib Dems say that the volume of litter at the edges of the station sites is due to dumping and to workers leaving building debris behind. Therefore Ms Featherstone says the problem is largely one for Network Rail’s to resolve.

Mr Murphy explained that he would be filing a report at the end of the week detailing the works to be done and who is responsible for doing them. Mr Murphy also confirmed that he would commission new fencing for Harringay, Hornsey and Alexandra Palace stations in an effort to reduce fly tipping.

Cllr Featherstone is satisfied with the progress at the meeting following months of frustration where no party was willing to take responsibility for the rubbish clearance. Although this is the beginning of the clear up plans, she is hopeful that action will be taken and will be paying close attention to the works.

Cllr Featherstone comments:

“It’s a case of so far so good. The recommendations that have been agreed will certainly make these stations cleaner, more pleasant places to use.

“In the past, there have been problems in getting contractors to take responsibility for railway cleanliness so I have asked for a timeline of the work to be drawn up, along with agreement over the contractors’ responsibilities.

“This will ensure that all contractors fulfil their obligations in cleaning up local stations. All of these works need to happen quickly, as residents have waited long enough already, and are utterly fed up with the current state of their stations.”