RAILWAY workers are calling for train firms to stop dumping sewage on train tracks.

 

Staff are protesting in Glasgow today demanding the target date for trains to be fitted with new control tanks for toilets to be brought forward.

Rail union MRT wants to allow the new franchise holder Abellio one year to fit the new system on trains and have dumping on tracks ended by April next year, instead of eight months later, in December as planned.

A protest and campaign to gather public support is taking place today outside Glasgow's busiest train stations.

Workers are fed up with sewage from trains being sprayed on tracks where they are carrying out maintenance work on tracks and by the side of the railway.

It is feared there is a health hazard to works being exposed to the waste from trains.

RMT General Secretary, Mick Cash said: "RMT activists are at the entrances at both Glasgow Central and Queen Street leafleting the public to raise awareness that this filthy and disgusting practice continues in 2015 with little or no regard for the health, safety and wellbeing of rail workers

"RMT is determined to force rail bosses to bring forward the date when this scandal is brought to an end once and for all."

The union is concerned they have been advised by Network Rail the risk is low and attitude is says is "dangerously complacent".

RMT also said staff are not offered any injections to prevent any diseases being contracted.

A meeting took place between the union and Transport Scotland late last year to discuss the issue.

Transport Scotland said it was committed to ending the practice which is said was not compatible with a modern transport system.

All trains with toilets are to be fitted with Controlled Emission Tanks.

In a response to RMT, Aidan Grisewood, Transport Scotland Director of Rail, said: "Our commitment to getting this work completed as soon as possible is without question.

However, given the scale of the works involved and the technical and engineering advice we have received we are not at this time in a position to guarantee any earlier date for the installation of CET."

He said he would encourage Abellio to explore possibilities to ensure the new system is fitted as soon as possible.

The previous Scottish transport Minister, Keith Brown has also written to the UK Transport Secretary to also commit to ensuring Rolling Stock in the rest of the UK is fitted out with the new tanks.