Alarm at dirty needles dumped on Oswestry rail line
Hypodermic needles and syringes are being dumped along the route of a disused heritage railway line in Shropshire.
Plastic containers full of needles have been found along the route of the Cambrian Railway line in Oswestry – prompting fears for the safety of people walking dogs in the area.
Bob Evans, a volunteer on the railway, said he had picked up two bucketfuls of rubbish in the past two weeks and said action needed to be taken.
The 69-year-old, who has been volunteering on the heritage railway for the past five years, said the problem had got worse in recent months.
Officials at Shropshire Council have said they treat reports of syringes and needles being dumped in public as a "matter of urgency".
Mr Evans said believed the needles are left by drug users who he said must frequent the area.
"Its a hidden part of Oswestry that can't be seen off the road," he said.
"There are people who walk along the route of the line and take dogs for a walk and of course cats roam freely."
"Just throwing items like this down is absolutely disgusting and could really harm anyone who picked them up or trod on them."
"This is the second bucketful I have picked up in as many weeks."
He said he was waiting to hear from Shropshire Council about how to dispose of the needles.
Enthusiasts belonging to Cambrian Heritage Railways want to bring the line between Oswestry and Gobowen back into use.
The project received a boost when it was revealed yesterday that officials at Wrekin Housing Trust had donated a parcel of land to aid the project as part of a deal for a housing development.
Felicity Roberts, spokeswoman for Shropshire Council, said any reports of syringes are treated as a "matter of urgency".
She said: "If you find discarded syringes, needles or drug related items, do not touch them.
"Please contact us and tell us the location of the syringes or needles, the estimated number of items, a brief description of the items and are the items where children might play.
"The matter will be treated with urgency and we will remove them as soon as possible."
She said anybody who spots a syringe should call 0345 678 9006.
