RAIL chiefs have promised to look for a solution after complaints over excessive litter and untidy undergrowth around the rail station in the Saltaire World Heritage Site.

The Aire Valley Rail Users Group says litter has been allowed to build up on embankments near the station and the situation has been exacerbated by a pruning policy which keeps undergrowth cut back to only the minimum distance needed for safety from the electrification cables.

Historically, the group had helped out by mounting its own litter-picking sessions, but since the line was electrified they had been told access would only be allowed if Network Rail safety officials were present to oversee the work - and the group would have to foot the bill.

However, since the issue was raised by group founder-member Keith Preston, Network Rail has pledged to re-examine the situation.

A spokesman for the Government-backed company said: "Our maintenance protection co-ordinator is going to speak to the safety team to see what protection would be needed for such a clear up and how we can be of assistance.

"This will require a site visit so may take a short while to complete but the process is under way."

Mr Preston told the Telegraph & Argus: "There used to be an annual clean up by the old Saltaire Village Society until the early 1990s, jointly with members of the Aire Valley Rail Users Group.

"However, the electrification stopped that as a full personal track safety certificated person with appropriate hi-vis jackets and hard hats with two supervisors are required.

"Any small group, even if agreed by Network Rail are required to pay the costs. Needless to say neither AVRUG, SVS or any other local group have resources to pay these charges.

"As a result the railway embankment is a disgrace to the World Heritage Site.

"The station itself, ramps and platforms, are cleared of litter, swept and rock salt put down by a small team of cleaners. They do a very good job and AVRUG has praised them for their diligence."

There was also a problem with trees and undergrowth in the lineside area, said Mr Preston, with contractors working only to cut it back far enough to provide the minimum gap needed to allow the railway to operate safely.

He said the policy had been explained to him during a conversation with contractors doing the work.

Debris from that work was also left on railway land, adding to the untidy appearance of the area.

The problem looked worse in winter because green plants died back, exposing the full build up of litter in the area, he added.