Ljubljana residents face environmental risk from stored railway sleepers

The environmental organization Alpe Adria Green (AAG) has raised alarms regarding approximately 500 railway sleepers impregnated with creosote stored in the Črnuče district of Ljubljana. These sleepers are reportedly located only 15 to 20 meters from the exterior walls of residential buildings.

According to AAG, the sleepers are stored outdoors without adequate protection from weather or physical security against third parties. Because creosote contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and other hazardous substances, the organization warns of potential leaching into the soil and risks to air quality, groundwater, and human health. AAG has called for urgent inspection to determine ownership, legality of storage, and the necessity of removal with full hazardous waste traceability.

Slovenske železnice (SŽ) responded that the sleepers were removed during recent track renovations in Savlje and temporarily placed at the location to expedite work and minimize impact on rail traffic and local communities.