In a commendable collaboration, railway industry personnel from the Essex & South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership and the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) joined hands with Rochford‘s station adopters. This group of enthusiastic volunteers from the local community devoted a day to rejuvenating the overgrown sections of Rochford rail station.

Their diligent efforts resulted in a charming cottage garden space, complemented by the installation of a bug hotel. The Community Rail Network generously funded this unique addition. The team immersed themselves in various activities throughout the day – from digging and weeding to planting. They also introduced ‘seed bombs’ to cultivate a wildflower zone, aiming to provide a habitat conducive to pollinators and other local wildlife.

While the initiative served as a team-building exercise for the participants, its larger goal was to create a lasting, positive imprint on the community.

Essex & South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership is one of 75 community rail partnerships in the United Kingdom, grassroots organisations that operate alongside rail lines, dedicated to fostering connections between communities and their local railways. They not only promote their respective rail lines but also roll out empowering programs and assist railway and transport entities in prioritizing community needs.

Daniel Mann, director of industry operations at Rail Delivery Group, said:

“I’m delighted to see the results of our staff working alongside other volunteers on such a great project. Transforming neglected spaces into vibrant, welcoming places for all, inspires and connects local communities and we are glad to have been a part of that approach at Rochford.”

Catherine Gaywood, Essex and South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership Officer, said,

“We were delighted when the Rail Delivery Group said they were looking for a beneficial project for a team building day as there are always plenty of opportunities on our lines in Essex.

“I am really pleased with the results of everyone’s hard work and look forward to seeing the station filled with flowers in the spring, with all the positive benefits that will bring for wildlife and passengers alike.”

Greater Anglia’s Customer and Community Engagement Manager, Alan Neville, said,

“We are very grateful to our colleagues at the RDG and the Community Rail Partnership for this collaborative project which will help to make Rochford station even more attractive to visitors and help improve biodiversity locally.”

Paul Webster, Community Rail Network’s Support and development manager, said,

“Making stations part of their local community is one of the aims of community rail, so we are really pleased to have been able to support Essex & South Suffolk CRP with a funding contribution for this project. The commitment of the CRP shows how relationships between the local community, Greater Anglia and the wider rail industry have worked together to turn this disused piece of land into a vibrant and colourful space which will greet passengers now and into next Spring with a bright floral display as they pass through the station.”