In article , Mike Lyle mike_lyle_uk@REM
OVETHISyahoo.co.uk writes

Since the foot and mouth debacle, I believe most railway timbers are
imported from eastern Europe, where they're being replaced with
concrete.

Most new sleepers being installed now in UK also are concrete.

Ex-BR (etc.) wooden sleepers will almost certainly have been treated
with creosote and will probably be tainted with effluent from railway
loo discharges. Some railway disposal companies such as Grant Lyon Eagre
can supply accredited safe sleepers - at a price.
--
Alan & Joan Gould - North Lincs.