[gary.j.kelsey]

My garden backs closely to the railway track and I am concerned about emissions and also about what they spray to keep the vegetation at bay?

Additionally, has anyone any experience with encroaching on to the railway verge. There is a small slope of 45 degrees and 3 metres in width and it is fenced off from railway tracks. Seems previous occupants have grown rhubarb there. Could I cause track instability. Would i end up in a court of law for growing a few pototas on railtracks property?

[DD.]

Hi Gary & welcome.

Can't help with all your queries, but firstly, technically you would be trespassing on railway property. This is taken quite seriously & is punisable with a fine of up to £1000.

http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/1037.aspx

Don't know what they use to keep weeds down, but emission wise, I'd I've thought what you get from an occasional passing train would be far lower than someone living near a road with constant traffic.

[mumofstig]

My garden backs directly onto the railway line. I haven't noticed any ill effects of spraying .....in fact haven't seen any spraying  Lovely crop of blackberries which i pick for jam without problem

Wouldn't try potatoes cos that would involve a lot of digging into the embankment, whereas something like rhubarb......once it's in, it's in... just needs bit of manure and perhaps pulling a few weeds now and again. Spose in the same vein you could try other soft fruits or maybe pumpkins.

[Aunt Sally]

Our allotment site has a rail way running immediatly along one side of it.

The plots there grow wonderful veg (as do we all   ) and one plot holder has gardened his plot beside the line for 36 years.  He's 80 years old and as fit as a flea !

[alfman]

Gary, DD would be right about trespassing, if there's veg growing on one side of the fence and the same on the other, it'll be a bit obvious its you on both counts but if the 3m of land is fenced off from the running line I think you might be ok as long as you don't undertake any major earth works. As regards the spraying, it is very strong stuff but they only do it once a year in early summer and is kept very localised. I was a railwayman for 40 years and I've seen the same sort of thing hundreds of times and as long as the bank/slope is not compromised nobody usually bothers. DD is also right with the fine but the words "up to" is what counts.
A word in your ear and a slap on the wrist is more like the outcome but you pays your money and takes your chance. Good luck.

[CHICKENGIRL]

oooohhhh,  mumofstig, you just brought back a flood of very happy memories there!  picking blackberries by the railway line - not many made it home for crumble & pies - most of them eaten (regardless of dad saying they had bugs in them!) before they even hit the tupperware!