Bugs are much more than just creepy crawlies. In fact, they are a vital part of the eco-system worldwide, and they are vital pollinators of hundreds of varies of fruits and vegetables that we consume.

Though due to loss of habitat and extreme weather cause by global warming, their numbers are on the decline, and at quite an alarming rate, which could spell trouble in the decades to come.

Undergraduates taking part in their ‘Year in Industry’ work placements, are working with Northern Trains to design and build bug hotels for 3 stations along the Bentham Line.

“We’re committed to contributing positively to the environmental sustainability of the areas in which we operate.

Bug hotels are a small but practical solution to increase biodiversity at our stations and I’m excited to see the end result of the hard work by our ‘Year in Industry’ colleagues and the students at the schools along the Bentham Line.”

Mike Roe, safety and environment director at Northern

The ‘Bug Hotels’ are made from old bits of redundant materials such as wooden pallets and bamboo canes, while others have stones and bricks and even cardboard or a mixture of everything.

They erect all the components into stands or boxes with small holes and cracks that the bugs like to live in, aiming to create and simulate a habitat for bugs to not only live, but to produce offspring year on year to keep the bug population stable.

The project raises awareness while also supporting schools to learn about bio-diversity.

Besides this, there will also be workshops constructing the hotels, these will take place in Lancashire, with local schools during the weeks before the school summer holidays as an end of term project. They will be working in relation with the Bentham Community Rail Partnership.

“As the railway looks to improve station and lineside environments, we are delighted that the ‘Year in Industry’ students this year have chosen a biodiversity theme for their community project.

They are keen to work with primary school pupils in Giggleswick, Long Preston and Keighley to raise awareness of the Bentham Line’s ecology and engage the pupils in the creation of insect habitats and pollinator patches at the schools and stations.”

Gerald Townson, chairman of the Leeds–Morecambe Community Rail Partnership