It's been like that for at least 8 years. The line speed it only about 40 in that area IIRC as it's so wiggly so probably not a massive problem. Not a lot of freight either. As long as it's not moving the track it'll be safe. Drainage isn't a problem either as it's on a massive hill. It's probably caused because the track and ballast hasn't been renewed for many years and the forest on the hill above showers the track with all kind of seeds (obviously these don't grow fully as trains run up and down every hour!).
Thanks for that, I have never seen any main line in the UK so bad. I have been on a few branch single lines in Poland in the 1990s that were bad, but not that bad. Is this the shape (or shapps) of things to come? I hope not. I also notice that the Network Rail buddleia society has been doing well on the viaducts, especially over Merrywalks in Stroud. Silver Guilt prize this year.
The substantial junction west of Lewisham station, apparently regarded as a "key point" in the London network infrastructure, has looked the same for some time.
You are quite right, I forgot about that one. When I used to travel to Woolwich via Blackheath that cross junction was always bad, yet it did not have woods or trees near. I just presume the weed killing train switched off over the junction. So one question more, is Chalford the worst kept main line in the country?
Answering with a further question; does the presence of greenery automatically mean poorly-kept? There are plenty of lines around the world (admittedly, many are tram ways) where grass is actively grown in the 'four foot'.
www.flickr.com
It still looks remarkably green, hardly 'not a weed on the tracks'.
Nothing in the 6ft looks beyond 2nd year growth, which would fit with this being a COVID backlog issue rather than something 5- or 10-years in the making. Also worth noting that policies towards accessing the line have changed, and in 1997 I would guess that getting access to the lineside was rather more easy to do than today.
Here is a photo of the line at Chalford in 1997, not a weed on the tracks. Now any under-line springs have likely been there since the line was built, so it appears the greenery has somehow only developed since Railtrack/Network Rail came along.
Chalford station, 1997
The site of the station, looking towards Kemble. Chalford station was opened by the GWR in 1897 on the "Golden Valley" line between Kemble and Stroud, although the line had been in place since 1845. It was closed to goods in 1963, to passengers in 1964 and subsequently demolished.
Some of the items in the current photo are pretty substantial. This is not just this year's growth. In the six foot small trees are starting to form. Is nobody in the per-way capable nowadays of coming along with a strimmer and dealing with them? I wonder what the front gardens of their houses look like.
I wonder whether the River Ravensbourne, and possibly the River Quaggy, are the excuses for the Lewisham situation? I have lived in houses which were backed onto by each river.
I think the state of the vegetation on the deciduous trees outside the fence may be a bit of a clue ...
It says 8th of June.
Weeds also needed for the environment, pollinators are needed, not just for the natural world but also for farmers and our food supply.
Isn't it more likely this is because of a lack of resources, either financial or labour, or both, rather than deliberately not doing this sort of maintenance?
Weeds (plants growing in the wrong place) are also needed for the environment.
You can see that sort of vegetation sprouting out of railway infrastructure all over the country. It must be weakening brickwork and the consequential future repair cost is likely to be enormous.
Thanks Pete. Here is a picture taken Along Dr Newtons Way in Stroud of the same viaduct this afternoon 2 August 2022. You can not tell me that this is safe. People can walk under this. I have heard bus drivers say that it is only time before bricks will fall onto cars from the Merrywalks viaduct. Come on railtrack do your job and maintain what used to be OUR railways.
. Thanks to Darren JB for the original photo. This was a bit ago but nothing has changed so far as I know. 
