"The Reading Mile" - what is it?

[whole diary]

[inspector_blakey]

Been running around the country from place to place over the last week or so, hence my lack of posts...

In the course of one of my journeys yesterday, I spotted a sign that's got me slightly mystified: it's a sign on the approach to Reading from the west, on the south side of the line (i.e. adjacent to the down fast) that says "You are now entering The Reading Mile". There's other text on there but it was dark and rainy outside and we were going too fast for me to read any more. Definitely an official-looking Network Rail sign in their corporate style, and I think located some distance west of Reading West Junction.

Any ideas...?

[JayMac]

An ongoing initiative to keep railway property in the area clean and tidy and to discourage fly-tipping:

From Network Rail Press Release, July 2009:

Over a tonne of litter have been removed today by a special squad led by Network Rail to clean up the Reading railway, creating a ^golden mile^ near Reading station.

The ^Reading Mile^ initiative has brought a vastly improved environment for local residents and passengers, and has served as a warning to fly tippers who use the railway as their dumping ground.

A large cycle wheel, a football and broken bottles were among some of the litter picked up by the 30-strong squad from Network Rail.

Jack Hitchcock, western route maintenance director for Network Rail said: "We have a duty to the community to remove this blight from their area but time and money could be better used on improving and expanding rail services. This is why we urge anyone who has information about fly-tipping or other forms of vandalism to call the British Transport police and help us fight this costly anti-social crime."

^Not only is fly tipping an illegal activity, but it is unsightly and poses a health and safety risk to rail passengers, employees and our lineside neighbours. Large items such as beds and other household goods dumped pose a real safety risk to the railway as they have the potential to derail a train if placed on the track. It will also create access problems for our engineers when work begins in the area to redevelop Reading railway.

Following the success of the clean up, Network Rail will continue to monitor the area to remove further litter and crack down on fly tippers with the help of relevant authorities.

[inspector_blakey]

Ahh. I see. That would be why there was all sorts of Network Rail scrap dumped on the ground then...

[paul7575]

The signs have been up for many years before 2009 though.

NR^» (Network Rail - home page) probably recycling an older initiative as their own...

Paul

[JayMac]

As I said: 'ongoing'.

I've read elsewhere that similar initiatives were around in BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) days, where prizes were awarded to P-way gangs for the best kept stretch of line in a region/sector. Only forum chatter mind, and I haven't found anything 'official'.

[paul7575]

Appreciated.

ISTM though, that the way the NR^» (Network Rail - home page) press release reads, they are making it sound as though the 'Reading Mile' terminology came with the new initiative.

Paul

[Chris from Nailsea]

There was a similar initiative around Bristol Temple Meads, in 2006.  From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Staff help big station clean-up


One mile either side of Temple Meads was cleaned

A clean-up operation around Bristol's Temple Meads railway station has seen 36 tonnes of rubbish cleared and 285 pieces of graffiti removed.

More than 50 staff from Network Rail took part in the spring clean around the station on Monday.

Tracks and buildings in the Temple Meads area are now a "zero-tolerance" zone in an attempt to cut vandalism.

Network Rail says it will work closely with British Transport Police and Bristol City Council to enforce this.

Robbie Burns, Network Rail's Western Route Director, said: "We are determined to tackle graffiti and vandalism on the railway and make sure people know this will not be tolerated. Any help that members of the public can give us in catching those responsible is welcomed and we urge anyone with information to call the British Transport Police."

[inspector_blakey]

I've read elsewhere that similar initiatives were around in BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) days, where prizes were awarded to P-way gangs for the best kept stretch of line in a region/sector. Only forum chatter mind, and I haven't found anything 'official'.

Pretty sure that's true - the NRM^» (National Railway Museum, at York and Shildon - about) has a BR cut-out metal sign (in the style of the old line-speed indicator signs) that was awarded for the "prize length" (*cough*) and erected in the appropriate location.

[Chris from Nailsea]

See also http://newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Archive/Uk/uk.railway/2008-01/msg04896.html 

[eightf48544]

I've read elsewhere that similar initiatives were around in BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) days, where prizes were awarded to P-way gangs for the best kept stretch of line in a region/sector. Only forum chatter mind, and I haven't found anything 'official'.

Pretty sure that's true - the NRM^» (National Railway Museum, at York and Shildon - about) has a BR cut-out metal sign (in the style of the old line-speed indicator signs) that was awarded for the "prize length" (*cough*) and erected in the appropriate location.

Prize lengths really were immaculate, you only have to look at photos of 60s and previous and most track was pretty good no weeds no litter/scrap NO TREES on the cutting or emabankemnts. Square edged ballast with neatly sloping sides no stones on sleepers.. Even sidings were kept pretty clear.

[Electric train]

It seems of late this initiative has gone quite lately, although I think it is more a spring / summer activity.

[rogerpatenall]

As someone who was around Castle Cary in the late fifties / early sixties I can vouch that the award of the 'Prize Length' plate to a gang was a matter of huge prestige, and earned the respect of railwaymen of all grades and departments.

[Electric train]

As someone who was around Castle Cary in the late fifties / early sixties I can vouch that the award of the 'Prize Length' plate to a gang was a matter of huge prestige, and earned the respect of railwaymen of all grades and departments.

Today NR^» (Network Rail - home page) has the "Golden Rabbit" it is awarded to the Maintenance area with the best reliability, response times etc

[eightf48544]

"Golden Rabbit" not very inspiring now a "Golden Spanner".

[Chris from Nailsea]

As someone who was around Castle Cary in the late fifties / early sixties I can vouch that the award of the 'Prize Length' plate to a gang was a matter of huge prestige, and earned the respect of railwaymen of all grades and departments.

Thanks for that confirmation, rogerpatenall - and a warm welcome to the Coffee Shop forum!