Dog poo found hanging from trees on railway trail
LDRSDog walkers are being urged to bin their pets' poo after bags of waste were found hanging from branches along a railway walking route.
Visitors to the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR) interactive Trail of Discovery walk, near Phoenix Row in County Durham, said poo bags had also been shoved into hedgerows and dumped down banks.
It comes just weeks after the new public walking and cycling route, which follows sections of the original 26m (42km) journey of the historical passenger railway, was launched.
Rob Bowman, who looks after a section of the line, said it was "very sad" as he put in hours of effort and money to keep the site clean.
The Trail of Discovery follows parts of the S&DR line between Witton Park in County Durham and Stockton-on-Tees.
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, signs attached to fences and gateposts on the public bridleway urge people to pick up dog poo or face large fines.
Durham County councillor for West Auckland Stephen Gray said leaving dog waste on trees was deplorable and the public should be told it was an inappropriate way to deal with it.
The Reform councillor said: "Sadly, as a dog walker myself, I see this all too often around the off-road footpaths in the local area.
"The vast majority of dog owners are very responsible and it is a small number that do this."
The route passes historically significant locations, including Etherley Incline and the Masons Arms Crossing.
A new bridge over the River Gaunless, built in the same location as the original S&DR bridge, is due to open later this year.
