Those in engineering jobs at Network Rail will be laying plastic sleepers on parts of the network as part of a nationwide trial.

The company is trialling a new form of sleeper made out of recycled plastic.

Only slower lines will have the new sleepers installed, which will be monitored to assess whether they are suitable for more widespread use.

The new sleepers will also be used at depots, slidings and points at junctions.

Jerry England, director of engineering at Network Rail, said: "This is an important scheme for Network Rail, helping recycling while putting waste to good use.

"Rail has the enviable position of being the most environmentally-friendly and sustainable form of transport, and it is new thinking like this that will help us to improve our record further."

Network Rail replaces around 185,000 timber sleepers across its network every year.

It also renews in excess of one million concrete and steel sleepers on an annual basis.


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