MP attacks rail contractor for dumping rubble on farmer's land

Carillion was awarded an 80 million contract by Network Rail, the government-funded track operator, in 2009 for construction work on the new Airdrie-Bathgate line, which was reopened in December after being closed to passenger trains since 1956.

But MP Michael Connarty claims the company has avoided tipping costs by dumping mounds of rubble on a farmer's field near the track.

Although it had an agreement to store peat on the site at Bedlormie Mains Farm, near Bathgate, it did not have a licence to tip stone.

Connarty, the Linlithgow and Falkirk East MP, said: "Carillion have deliberately and illegally dumped thousands of tonnes of rubble that they didn't have a licence for, deliberately avoiding landfill costs.

"They are treating Scotland like an open toilet."

Work began on restoring the 15-mile Airdrie-Bathgate line in 2008 as part of Scottish Government plans to reduce car use and entice more passengers back on to the railways. The construction project involved stripping soil and stone from the site to allow tracks to be laid.

Carillion and farm business J & J Brewster, of Bedlormie Mains Farm, signed an agreement in July 2009 allowing the company to store peat on the farm's land whilst carrying out work on the rail link.

The temporary agreement - seen by Scotland on Sunday - states that the land is for storing peat only and is to be returned to the owners in the same condition in which it was found in August 2010.

But Mark Clements, the land agent who negotiated the deal said: "Peat is one thing - what they (Carillion] have stored is construction waste, which is completely outwith the agreement."

Connarty also accused the local authority, West Lothian, of not taking sufficient action to ensure the rubble was removed on time.

"In April 2010, although the local authority was aware of the dumping, it did not take out an enforcement order to get rid off the stuff. Which is odd, when you have been told thousands of tonnes of rubble have been illegally dumped."

A statement from Carillion said: "In late 2009 we reached an agreement to store material temporarily to allow it to dry out on land at Bedlormie Mains Farm, before removing it to a licensed tip.

"We are currently working with the landowner's agent regarding arrangements for the final removal of the 180,000 tonnes of material involved."

A spokesperson for West Lothian Council said it understood that the parties involved were trying to reach agreement on the removal of the rubble.

"West Lothian Council has statutory planning powers it could use if agreement between the key parties is not forthcoming," it added.