Littering the Railways - You cannot win! (rant)

[whole diary]

[thetrout]

I was at Bristol Temple Meads this afternoon. I had a cup if coffee which I finished between Platform 13 and the exit. The issue being is that there are no bins at BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains). Either that or they are few and far between/bluddy hard to find.

So I left my empty coffee cup on top of the newspaper bin by the gateline. I was going to catch a bus and hot drinks are frowned upon. So it seemed the best decision. My bag was an option but my laptop was switched on inside finishing windows updates and I didn't want the residue getting in the cooling fans. I wrote off a Dell Studio 1735 with a cup of coffee on the 15:55 Frome - Paddington.

A member of staff approached me at the gateline and said something along the lines of "I saw you littering our station there" My response: "But there aren't any bins" This was met with facial and silent response.

Now if I'd have missed one/Been shown one I would unreservedly apologised and dealt with it. I also said if there was a proper bin I would have disposed of it there.

You should also note that my table in Coach F was the only spotless one when I got off. I hate leaving rubbish to be someone else's problem.

So with no bins. What are you meant to do exactly? Seems you cannot win. I'm also miffed at the bottom line being called a Litterbug! Admittedly I may have misunderstood the situation which could have been just banter.

What could I have done better here?

Discuss:

[grahame]

There are no litter bins at Bristol Temple Meads, I was told, because it's considered to be a high security risk station.

And as with other security measures such, the changes were made when the need was identified, and are a bit rough round the edges.   If you have the need to dispose of an unfinished hot drink, you should approach the most senior staff member you can see, and explain to him that you're unable to take the drink onto a bus, and that you're passing it to him to suitably dispose of.   You should also caution him that the contents may be hot, and have been in your possession since they left a health inspected kitchen so are not fit for resale.

[chuffed]

Sympathise with your predicament. I have handed the offending empty receptacle to any one of the outlets serving coffee and asked them to dispose of it for me. Never been refused yet, but there again, they hardly dance for joy about it.  Trainer tells me the plastic see through bags are back at Salisbury so why not TM^‡(resolve) ?

To broaden your post,I have for a  long time had  issues with the attitude of the gateline staff at TM . All too often they are just plain charmless and surly. I treat them politely and with respect and just get blanked most of the time. About time some of them went to FGW^▸ (First Great Western) charm school. What a contrast to the staff on last weeks programme at Victoria coach station who were brisk efficient but also human.

[TonyK]

FGW^▸ (First Great Western)'s charm school was bombed, wasn't it? (After Basil Fawlty).

Joking aside, I recall well thetime that litter bins were removed from stations, and why. We live in no less dangerous times now, it seems, but clear plastic bags in the lidded hoop holder would be welcome. I too dislike leaving a mucky table, but there often isn't an easy alternative.

[thetrout]

Thank you gents.

The thing is, you can't have it both ways. Unintended consequences of a resolution to a problem. Ah thats me on litigious grounds for plagiarism

I actually cannot see the mentality behind removing a bin because of a security risk. I understand however they were a common target by the IRA? Surely sanitary waste bins in toilets are then just as dangerous? however you see those everywhere even in the major rail stations.

I'll drop that there as I am aware that's going to very dodgy ground otherwise.

Sadly I agree about some of the gateline staff attitudes. I recall one particular member of staff however who was the complete opposite. Always seemed happy to see me (and that's most unusual)

Graham, excellent suggestion although probably tongue in cheek. I might try that one next time. I could try it at the station I use more often, but that one has bins and being on First Name terms with nearly all the staff I know exactly where I'll be told to go and when...

[Network SouthEast]

I'm sorry, but to say there are no bins at Bristol TM^‡(resolve) because of security is nonsense. There are bins provided at London Paddington, these are of the type where a clear plastic bag is held by a metal loop fixed to a wall. There are also the cleaners with their litter trolleys. So how can Bristol TM be more of a security risk than a London terminal?!

[phile]

There is now a litter bin the subway at Bristol Temple Meads but only a tiny slit on the top and a notice to say no food to be deposited.   The bin appears to be secured.     Bristol Temple Meads and Cardiff Central are now the only stations that I know of with no bins.    I was told years ago that this situation was at the request of the local BTP^▸ (British Transport Police).    If a terrorist wants to plant a bomb on a station, they would soon find somewhere to place it, bins or no bins.     They're probably having a laugh at us for caving in to them and giving the impression they are succeeding in getting us worked up.

[TonyK]

I'm sorry, but to say there are no bins at Bristol TM^‡(resolve) because of security is nonsense. There are bins provided at London Paddington, these are of the type where a clear plastic bag is held by a metal loop fixed to a wall. There are also the cleaners with their litter trolleys. So how can Bristol TM be more of a security risk than a London terminal?!

IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly), there were some big old cast iron bins that would have made a fantastic amount of shrapnel. Having taken them away for that reason, they have not been reinstated for a different reason.

[Red Squirrel]

I'm sorry, but to say there are no bins at Bristol TM^‡(resolve) because of security is nonsense. There are bins provided at London Paddington, these are of the type where a clear plastic bag is held by a metal loop fixed to a wall. There are also the cleaners with their litter trolleys. So how can Bristol TM be more of a security risk than a London terminal?!

IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly), there were some big old cast iron bins that would have made a fantastic amount of shrapnel. Having taken them away for that reason, they have not been reinstated for a different reason.

Ties in with this topic http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=12701.0 - you remove it for reasons health and safety, and fail to replace it for reasons of economy.

[Brucey]

Bristol Temple Meads and Cardiff Central are now the only stations that I know of with no bins.

London Victoria also has no bins, presumably as an aftermath of the IRA bombing in the early 90s.

Crazy though considering Waterloo and Paddington both have bins.

[the void]

There is now a litter bin the subway at Bristol Temple Meads but only a tiny slit on the top and a notice to say no food to be deposited.   The bin appears to be secured. 

it's not a litter bin, it's a newspaper recycling bin provided by metro. it's pretty clear from the branding and the shape/size of the slot what it is intended for, but it doesn't stop everyone from trying to cram whatever litter they do have into it! it's amazing what people can get in there!

i believe another reason for the lack of bins is the listed status of the station, making it very difficult to attach bin hoops to, well just about anything!

as there are no bins the only thing you can do with you litter (other than taking it with you) is leave it somewhere and one of the station cleaners will come and remove it. staff certainly shouldn't be chastising people for doing just that, when no alternative has been provided.

the situation may very well change when Network Rail take over the management of the station.

[smokey]

The Biggest Farce about Bombs and bins is this!

During all the troubles in Northen Ireland in the 70's and 80's

BINS where never removed from NIR stations.

Off course today the Suicide Bomber is the lastest threat, so hadn't we better ban the Public from railway stations. 

[FarWestJohn]

After just returning from West Wales I could not believe the amount of rubbish on the local lines at Cardiff Central station. What an unnecessary mess and must be very labour intensive to clear up. Surprised the local rags don't comment on this as disgusting impression for people arriving at the Welsh capital.

[didcotdean]

This week I watched someone screw up some paper wrapping and throw it on the floor in an HST^▸ (High Speed Train). The litter bin was directly behind his seat.

[IndustryInsider]

Did you say "Excuse me, there's a litter bin directly behind your seat"?