COMMUTERS at a Times Territory railway station are routinely being covered in poo from passing trains, say passengers. Jonathan Morris regularly commutes into London from Hatfield, and told the WHT that effluent was often sprayed over passengers waiting o

COMMUTERS at a Times Territory railway station are routinely being covered in poo from passing trains, say passengers.

Jonathan Morris regularly commutes into London from Hatfield, and told the WHT that effluent was often sprayed over passengers waiting on platforms one and two.

"It is a problem that has been brought up over a number of years by railway staff," he said.

"It's of particular concern at Hatfield because of the sharp curve on the northbound approach to the station."

Mr Morris, a magazine editor, said the Mk4 Mallard trains used by National Express were to blame for the problem, which he described as "completely preventable".

"While toilets on older trains used to flush on to the track, the Mk4 Mallard trains have storage tanks to prevent the track and its surroundings being covered," he said.

"Unfortunately, National Express appears to have cut back on more than just on-board catering.

"If the retention tanks are not emptied regularly, they overflow.

"As a result, when the train passes around the curve, it empties one or more of the tanks, causing everyone on platform one or platform three to be covered in liquefied sewage."

The 35-year-old, of Campion Road, Hatfield, added: "The possible impact on health is obvious."

Adam Edwards, for the Hatfield Association of Rail Travellers, said: "I have been on platform one on a couple of occasions when it has happened."

As for the potential health risks, he said: "We would be curious to know if there is a specific danger."

"It would be interesting to hear what National Express has to say."

A spokesman for First Capital Connect, which manages Hatfield railway station, said: "We will be speaking to National Express to find out further details."

A National Express East Coast spokesman said: "We have been aware of isolated instances of a small amount of effluent escaping from some of our electric trains at speed and are taking steps to resolve this.

"We are fitting more accurate measurement equipment at our train depots to ensure waste tanks are fully emptied before each train enters service.

"We are also replacing toilet flush valves with a more efficient and reliable design to prevent leakage of water from toilets to the flush valves.