Fury at foul train loos still flushing on tracks

RAIL operators are continuing to dump human sewage from train toilets on to tracks despite a promise to stop.

Bosses and ministers had vowed to retrofit all carriages with modern lavatories by the end of last year.

But the RMT union said eight major operators are still using the dated toilets which flush outside – putting Britain’s railways on a par with those in developing countries.

It often sprays human sewage on to track workers.

Mick Lynch, of the RMT, said: ‘It is utterly shameful this foul practice continues in the midst of a global health pandemic.

‘Promise after promise and deadline after deadline have been missed to end this once and for all.’

The union pointed the finger at Chiltern, CrossCountry, East Midlands, Great Western, Greater

Anglia, Northern, West Midlands Trains and Transport for Wales.

It said some have been allowed to delay making the upgrades after applying for exemptions to the Department for Transport.

The Rail Delivery Group said: ‘We know it can be very unpleasant for workers and people who live next to the tracks.

‘By 2021 almost all 14,800 trains will have toilets that don’t deposit waste on tracks.’

Network Rail said the alternative would have been to remove certain carriages from use and put services under further strain.

It added: ‘There are a few train companies that have been given a bit more time and we are tracking their action plans closely.’