Volunteers work to clear vandalism from Peterborough beauty spot

The Railworld and Nene Valley Railway volunteers have been working to clear the area at Orton Mere of graffiti and rubbish that has built up.

While Nene Valley Railway are not running trains during the lockdown, preparations are taking place for the busy December period.

Kim Shaw, acting general manager of Nene Valley Railway, said vandalism had been a major problem during the year.

Kim said: “Throughout the main lock down, NVR was sadly the target of a fair bit of vandalism. Without trains running the line appeared that we were no longer in existence.

“However, the reality was it was and remains the opposite. NVR is still very much alive, thanks to the generosity of many people who have donated money and our working volunteers, who as soon as they were permitted, returned to carry on the vital work in keeping our tracks and stations in good order.

“The vandalism that we suffered, which ranged from graffiti, theft of a valuable tarpaulin, drug paraphernalia and general litter left either on our platforms, or fly tipping on our lines. Has cost the railway a great deal of money to put right to enable our trains to run safely and customers feel welcome.

“We have had to install special cabling, remove seating, clean away graffiti, and dispose of all manner of debris left behind, whilst bringing our trains back into service to provide a welcomed service to our visitors and economy back to Peterborough as a whole.

“Our continued survival relies on customers and their generosity in donations which ideally we do not want to have to spend on further repairs, replacements and clean up.

“NVR, is not just a venue for customers, it is also a vital hub for volunteers, who rely on the railway as part of their lives, where they can be part of a loving family, and share their skills and knowledge to others.”

Brian Pearce, from Railworld, sad: “The volunteers have had so much to do, because there has been so much vandalism.

“They have been working to replace some of the sleepers, clear rubbish, wipe away graffiti.

“There have also been some broken windows at some of the buildings.

“Orton Mere was built for the people of the city with some of the money provided from the Octopussy appeal (after the Bond film was filmed on the site) and we need to look after it. We know youngsters are fascinated by railways, especially Thomas at Nene Valley.

“The volunteers are so important to Railworld, Nene Valley Railway and to Peterborough - they do so much for the city.”

Brian added that covert CCTV had been put up at hotspots to catch culprits.

For more information about Nene Valley Railway and volunteering, visit https://www.nvr.org.uk/