Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson Lynne Featherstone has secured agreement for further action from Network Rail in the ongoing battle to improve the state of local train stations.

She identified further problems in a third tour, with Mick Murphy of Network Rail, of Harringay, Hornsey, Alexandra Park and Bowes Park stations on Friday 9 July.

For the last two years Ms Featherstone has been continually pressing Network Rail to deal with the dumping, broken fencing, litter and general poor state of the four local Haringey Stations.

This latest tour of inspection showed that many of the improvements requested by Ms Featherstone have now been implemented by Network Rail – although there is still some outstanding work to be carried out.

Commenting Lynne Featherstone says:

“Things have really improved since I first took Mr Murphy around the four stations – but there is still a long way to go. Network Rail must finish its clearance of the sites and introduce regular litter picks. Haringey Council must empty the litter bins regularly and sweep adjoining areas.

“It is really important to keep our stations and their surroundings nice. If our stations look well kept – people will not only feel better, but behave better when using them.”

Note:Lynne’s requested programme of works and report from her visit is as follows:

Harringay station

The area between the station and the road at the top of the station (Quernmore road end) has been cleared of dumped rubbish with new grey fencing. The rubbish was finally cleared from the site behind the new railings but a litter pick is needed again and a regular litter pick maintenance program is required. Network Rail are going to be asked to create a permanent litter pick team.

There are four new Finsbury Park Trust bins that have now been installed at the corners of the short roads leading to the station both sides. The other rubbish bins by the railway land are overflowing and the overspill is making its way behind the fencing. I am pursuing this with Haringey Council as now having got new fencing and cleared the dumping, the overflowing bins are letting down the improvements. I will be asking for a daily or twice daily if necessary collection from these bins.

The next stage will then be to persuade Haringey Council to resurface the road and repave the short stretches of road leading to the station top and bottom and co-terminus with that, persuade the shops working with the Council to be tackled for the graffiti problem.

The fence at the bottom end of the railway bridge next to the big bins needs to be repaired as it appears to have been reversed into. Network Rail is issuing an order for this and for a cleanse behind the fencing. Haringey Council need to clean the edge of the fencing street side.

Hornsey station

Brown wooden fencing needs to be repaired and another clean up around the embankment – both of which are promised by Network Rail.

Area next to taxi office (with generators in) is full of railway spares which should be stored elsewhere. It has been added to recently with more parts. Network Rail are actioning this.

Rubble under the stairs to the station should be cleared. Sleepers and other waste next to line need to be cleared.

Alexandra Palace station

New green pallisade fencing in place and area behind it is much cleaner, having been cleaned recently with vegetation cut back. Handrail has now been replaced on slope.

The fencing has stopped larger items being dumped but continued litter picking is necessary.

Bins either side of the bridge are needed to stop litter encroaching on cleared Network Rail land. I will again request these from Haringey Council

Needs regular litter picks behind the new fencing to maintain appearance.

Bowes Park Station

Green expamet fencing has been installed on Bounds Green side of the station. Network Rail has requested it be extended the length of the path as more dumping is visible when the new fencing stops. Less evidence of rubbish behind fencing, but some large items have been dumped which Network Rail will order clearance.