An anchoring device (120) for use in retaining a railway rail fastening clip having first and second leg portions and a rail-bearing portion therebetween, the anchoring device comprising: a base member (121); an opening (132) in the base member (121) configured to receive a fastening component for fastening the anchoring device to an underlying foundation; and first and second clip-retaining sides(133a, 133b) extending from said base member (121) with the first clip-retaining side (133a) being spaced apart from the second clip-retaining side (133b) so as to define a space between the first and second clip-retaining sides for receiving the rail-bearing portion of the clip; wherein each of the first and second clip-retaining sides (133a, 133b) comprises upper and lower clip contact walls (135a, 135b, 136a, 136b) defining a passageway for receiving one of the first and second leg portions of the clip, wherein in use each of the first and second leg portions of the clip contact the upperand lower clip contact walls of the respective first and second clip-retaining sides as the clip moves in a first direction from an initial wedged position towards an engaged position in which the rail-bearing portion of the clip bears on the rail, and wherein the upper and lower clip contact walls (135a, 135b, 136a, 136b) are spaced apart in the first direction so as not to overlap one another.