In a move to encourage eco-friendly travel, visitors to Rye Meads nature reserve in Hertfordshire are being urged to use train transportation instead of personal vehicles. To facilitate this initiative, new wayfinding signs have been added along the route from Greater Anglia‘s Rye House rail station to the nature reserve, emphasising the ease of access and adding visual appeal to the path.

The New River Line Community Rail Partnership, a collaborative entity working with Greater Anglia, Hertfordshire County Council, and various local groups, is behind this project.

Their aim is to promote local rail services and enrich community connections. Eight vibrant banners showcasing the local wildlife have been created, and local photographers generously contributed their captivating images for this cause.

The banners make the walk to the nature reserve more engaging and strengthen the connection between transportation and environmental conservation. By utilising the collaboration between community rail networks and local authorities, this initiative reflects a community-driven approach to preserve local branch lines and foster sustainable travel habits.

Matt Bartlett, Rye Meads Nature Reserve’s Visitor Experience Manager, said, “We were delighted to work with the New River Line CRP on this project. Bringing people to the reserve by train instead of the car is a much more sustainable way to visit and helps to protect our fragile wildlife by reducing pollution in the local environment.”

Katie Goldthorpe, New River Line Community Rail Partnership officer, said, “We’re really pleased to improve our links with the nature reserve and highlight the easy rail connection. We hope people will enjoy seeing the images on the banners and feel inspired to visit the reserve or explore more of our county by rail.”

Paul Webster, Support and Development Manager, Community Rail Network, said, “Encouraging passengers to visit local attractions near to railway stations is one of the activities Community Rail Partnerships do really well. The local knowledge of the New River Line CRP about Rye Meads nature reserve, combined with the connections the CRP has built with talented local photographers such as Stuart Fox, have resulted in this eye-catching visual link from the station, which we are pleased to be able to support with a funding contribution.

“We expect many new visitors will be inspired by these stunning banners and signage as they approach the nature reserve and they and others will share how easy it is to visit it by train.”