Dog walkers along a historic railway route have been urged to put dog poo in the bin after bags were found hanging from branches, writes Local Democracy Reporter, Bill Edgar.
Shocked visitors to the Stockton and Darlington Railway route, near Phoenix Row, say poo bags have been shoved into hedgerows and dumped down banks.
It comes just weeks after the new interactive Trail of Discovery walk was launched, a new public walking and cycling route that follows sections of the original 26-mile journey of the world’s first passenger railway.
Signs attached to fences and gateposts on the public bridleway urge people to pick up the poo, and face large fines if they do not, but the problem persists.
Rob Bowman, who looks after a section of the line in County Durham, said: “I take great pride and put in hours of effort and quite a bit of money to keep this historic site ship shape.
“Sadly, this week I have encountered so much dog waste in bags, in the trees and bankside of the railway embankment. Very sad since it’s not even six months since the Bicentenary.”
Dozens of bags have been dumped under a homemade sign reading ‘please take it home’ along the route.
The Trail of Discovery follows parts of the historic Stockton & Darlington Railway line between Witton Park in County Durham and Stockton-on-Tees.
Stephen Gray, Reform county councillor for West Auckland, condemned the poo bag issues.
He said: “This practice of backing up dog waste and leaving it on trees is deplorable and we should, alongside having the right bin capacity, make sure that the public is advised that this is an inappropriate way to deal with dog waste.
“Sadly, as a dog walker myself, I see this all too often around the off-road footpaths in the local area.
“The vast majority of dog owners are very responsible and it is a small number that do this.”
Information panels, signs and public artworks have been installed along the route to help tell the story of the railway. There is also a free web app, voiced by broadcaster Steph McGovern, which brings the history to life with interactive features.
The route passes historically significant locations, including the Etherley Incline and the Masons Arms Crossing. A new bridge over the River Gaunless, built in the same location as the original S&DR bridge, is due to open later this year.
Bill Edgar
Reporter for the Local Democracy Reporter Service.
South West Durham News covering news across County Durham.
Put up cameras & then Remove the Animals from the Irresponsible owners!!!🤬🤬🤬 Scumbags
Dirty northern monkeys they don’t care