NETWORK Rail has pledged to clear a ''jungle'' of overgrown weeds following complaints from a group of train enthusiasts.

Members of Taunton Trains have been lobbying the company, which owns and operates the country's railway infrastructure, after the undergrowth reached "epic proportions".

After the County Gazette contacted Network Rail, a spokesman said a clear up team is being sent in this weekend.

Brian Garrett, of Taunton Trains, said the "terrible state" of the weeds in and around Taunton Station gives visitors a terrible impression of the county town.

He added: "It's particularly bad in Station Road, where Network Rail's undergrowth is now growing down the stone walls onto the bus stop and pavement below.

"It's a terrible state in the station area and is presenting the town in a very bad light.

"Network Rail has not touched the undergrowth in ten years or more and in 2018 it's reached epic proportions.

"We have been trying to put pressure on Network Rail to bring crews in to clean it up."

A statement on Taunton Train's website said undergrowth on Britain's railways had previously been contained by contractor teams with strimmers and cutting equipment, but this year has seen "vegetation reaching new heights".

It adds: "Taunton Trains contains a huge photographic library that dates back to steam days where groups of track workers once took care in the line-side, and we have many images showing pristine embankments, well-kept hedgerows, and a more natural environment.

"Decades of underinvestment increased strict health and safety rules, as well as cost management, has led to little maintaining of the line-side on a regular basis, resulting in the scenes which we see today."

The statement says there are even weeds on platforms and calls on Network Rail to introduce a "sustained and long-term plan" to return the station area to a "presentable state".

It adds: "The arrival into Taunton resembles a jungle and fails to project a positive image of the town to visitors.

"The 'Taunton jungle' stands out even more at the eastern end of the station because of the newly built Firepool development, where apartment buildings have been constructed, with the result that these nice modern buildings with expensive apartments, now overlook this scene.

"Passengers walking into town from the station are also greeted with vegetation spilling over the side wall from the former Taunton roundhouse yard which is now growing down into Station Road below."

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “Vegetation clearance at Taunton station will take place this weekend with work taking place from Friday night through to Sunday.”