Rubbish dumped on rail corridors throughout the state is creating a dangerous environment for TasRail drivers.
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TasRail is organising a campaign to clean up the rail corridor to help fix the problem, starting with Launceston’s northern suburbs.
Transport company Gradco, the Rocherlea Football Club and several other community groups will help support the Clean Up the Rail Corridor initiative.
“These obstructions can cause a lot of grief for our train drivers,” TasRail acting general manager of freight services Matthew Patten said.
“As a part of a community cleanup activity we are working with Gradco and the Rocherlea Football Club to try clean up a lot of that rubbish that gets out on the track and create a safer rail corridor for our divers and a nice clean environment for the community.”
The first of the community cleanup days will take place on Saturday, May 19.
TasRail drivers will team up with volunteers to pick up rubbish, while also informing participants about the trauma involved with rail corridor accidents.
Mr Patten said rubbish sighted on train tracks includes pieces of timber, large household items and burned out vehicles.
“It’s an area that people don’t think adds much value to the community,” he said.
“It’s out of sight and some people don’t recognise the risks they’re creating and the stress they put on our drivers everyday.
“[People should] keep in mind that the person sitting in that locomotive and driving that train is another member of our community.”