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Rochford 'filthy rail line has tomatoes growing on it' | Rochford 'filthy rail line has tomatoes growing on it' |
(about 17 hours later) | |
Tomatoes are growing on a railway line that is strewn with human waste, a transport union claims. | |
The Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) said a member took the picture of the flourishing plant on the line at Rochford, Essex. | The Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) said a member took the picture of the flourishing plant on the line at Rochford, Essex. |
It said it has grown on a stretch of track "notorious" for the amount of human waste dumped from trains. | It said it has grown on a stretch of track "notorious" for the amount of human waste dumped from trains. |
A spokesman for the Rail Delivery Group said it took the issue "seriously" and was addressing the problem. | A spokesman for the Rail Delivery Group said it took the issue "seriously" and was addressing the problem. |
The photo was taken on a section of line between Southend and London's Liverpool Street station. | The photo was taken on a section of line between Southend and London's Liverpool Street station. |
'Filthy' conditions | 'Filthy' conditions |
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "Tonnes of human excrement are being dumped straight on the tracks while the private train companies make huge profits and the government does nothing. | RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "Tonnes of human excrement are being dumped straight on the tracks while the private train companies make huge profits and the government does nothing. |
"Not only does this create filthy and dangerous working conditions for rail staff... but it also shows that the government is prepared to tolerate this scandal." | "Not only does this create filthy and dangerous working conditions for rail staff... but it also shows that the government is prepared to tolerate this scandal." |
The Rail Delivery Group, which represents train companies, freight operators and Network Rail, said: "The rail industry takes this issue, and feedback from customers and staff very seriously and understands that it can be very unpleasant for track workers. | The Rail Delivery Group, which represents train companies, freight operators and Network Rail, said: "The rail industry takes this issue, and feedback from customers and staff very seriously and understands that it can be very unpleasant for track workers. |
"Investment in new rolling stock since the mid-1990s means the majority of trains do not have to discharge waste onto tracks, and we continue to find ways to modify older vehicles. | "Investment in new rolling stock since the mid-1990s means the majority of trains do not have to discharge waste onto tracks, and we continue to find ways to modify older vehicles. |
"The minority, which do not have toilet tanks fitted, will reduce further as new trains are introduced." | "The minority, which do not have toilet tanks fitted, will reduce further as new trains are introduced." |
Germination 'feasible' | Germination 'feasible' |
BBC Essex gardening expert Dave Gillam said tomato plants could germinate from seeds found in human excrement. | BBC Essex gardening expert Dave Gillam said tomato plants could germinate from seeds found in human excrement. |
"Quite often it is the case where seeds have a casing where they can pass through the digestive systems of animals and humans," he said. | "Quite often it is the case where seeds have a casing where they can pass through the digestive systems of animals and humans," he said. |
"When grown commercially tomatoes are not in soil - they are quite capable of growing with water alone and the drainage and aggregate of the track would help." | "When grown commercially tomatoes are not in soil - they are quite capable of growing with water alone and the drainage and aggregate of the track would help." |
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