A GROUP that looks after a railway station is calling for action to tidy up the area after hearing it is the filthiest on the network.

The Friends of Upwey Station were told by railway cleaners the approach to the station from Littlemoor Road was the worst area for dog mess out of 150 areas in the south of England.

The dirt is left in grass verges bordering the approach road. The problem has got worse since the opening of the Weymouth Relief Road because new walking areas have been created around Upwey and more people are using the approach road.

Terry Putnam from the Friends said he was surprised to see a South West Trains work party arrive at Upwey wearing white protective overalls and goggles.

Mr Putnam said: “I was told it was to protect the operators from all the dog mess that was in the grass. The station is excellent in terms of lack of litter and tidiness, but the worst of all the 150 stations on the network for this health hazard. The team had even considered refusing to come to Upwey. As they trim the grass the dog mess flies up and creates a very real health hazard for them or for anyone standing nearby. The men said there was no other station like it.”

The friends – Terry Putnam, John Trevett, Peter Meech, Sue Atyeo and Andy Hutchings – maintain a daily watch on the station and meet regularly with rail companies.

Mr Putnam said the council had been asked to install a dog bin but it would be costly as the refuse lorry would have to divert. However, Mr Putnam said the bin could be put next to Littlemoor Road so the lorry didn’t have to divert.

He added: “It is heartbreaking when you have to help mothers clean dog mess off their shoes and the wheels of their pushchairs. Many dog owners clear up after their dogs but there are quite a number who don’t.”

RAIL FIRM APPEALS TO PET OWNERS

A SOUTH West Trains spokesman said dog mess was an issue for the company around Upwey but that it would be ‘hard to quantify’ if it was the dirtiest on the network.

The spokesman added: “The problem has got worse with the creation of new walking routes as part of the relief road project.

“Now the Olympics is over we’ll be asking the council to install a bin for dog mess. At the same time we would encourage dog owners to be more responsible and help us keep the area tidy.”

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council environment spokesman Ian Roebuck said: “We commend the work by the Friends of Upwey Station, and we recognise the importance of their efforts.

“However, the station and its approach are on land privately owned by the railway authorities, and the responsibility for caring for it lies with them.

“The council is happy to liaise in finding a solution to the problems of fouling, and is already looking at possibilities with South West Trains.”