'˜Skin dust and God knows what else' found on Portsmouth train seat

A PASSENGER says he is disgusted by the state of seats on trains running to and from Portsmouth.
Paul believes the train seats have years of dirt in them. Picture: Paul GarrodPaul believes the train seats have years of dirt in them. Picture: Paul Garrod
Paul believes the train seats have years of dirt in them. Picture: Paul Garrod

Paul Garrod, 70, from Southsea, believes train companies need to do more to keep train seats clean.

He says that while travelling up to London on Saturday, a simple flick of a seat caused a cloud of dust to float into the air.

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Mr Garrod explained: '˜I noticed that the train seats in particular are very dirty a few months back '“ but at the weekend I discovered the extent of it, practically by mistake.

Paul believes the train seats have years of dirt in them. Picture: Paul GarrodPaul believes the train seats have years of dirt in them. Picture: Paul Garrod
Paul believes the train seats have years of dirt in them. Picture: Paul Garrod

'˜I went to brush some fluff off the seat and this great cloud of dust and dirt came up. I was practically covered in fluff '“ all from the flick of a finger.

'˜I don't think South Western Railway actually hoovers the seats. The fabric must have years of people's skin dust and God knows what else.

'˜If they did that once a month or so, things might be a bit better.'

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Train prices went up by an average of 3.1 per cent this month '“ which Mr Garrod says means there is no excuse for dirty train seats.

Picture: Victoria Jones/PA WirePicture: Victoria Jones/PA Wire
Picture: Victoria Jones/PA Wire

He said: '˜When the prices go up like this, you expect the train companies to at least keep the seats and carriages clean.

'˜For people with respiratory issues and for general health this is outrageous '“ particularly when extortionate fares are considered.

'˜The dust here is far from unusual and represents months if not years of zero hoovering.

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'˜I have an acquaintance who works for South Western Railway as a cleaner and he said he has never seen any staff walk off a depot train with anything other than bin bags.'

A spokesman for South Western Railway said: '˜We are committed to ensuring our trains are as clean and pleasant as possible for our passengers.

'˜That's why, since deep-cleaning every train in the first 100 days of taking over the franchise, we've committed to deep-cleaning them every 30 days '“ seven times more regularly than previously.

'˜We are also refurbishing our existing fleet of Class 444 and 450 Desiro trains and Class 442s will be re-introduced to the Portsmouth line from February.'