Media centre

Monday 11 May 2015

Flower power used to transform scrubland at Reading station

Region & Route:

| Southern

Passengers at Reading station will soon experience a brighter start to their day after volunteers from Network Rail, Kew Gardens and the University of Reading used their free time to create a wild flower garden and wildlife haven by the station’s multi-storey car park.

The area used to be home to low speed sections of track, known as sidings, and so the first job of the team was to break up the hard surface of the ground. They then turned their attention to clearing some of the more overgrown parts, before raking and sowing the seeds.

During their time at the site, the team worked closely with Vinny Ganley, co-ordinator of Kew Gardens’ ‘Grow Wild UK’ project, who specially selected the varieties of flower used to ensure they were suited to the English climate and would attract bees and other pollinators. Some of the colourful flowers chosen included ‘Red Campion’, ‘Ox Eye Daisy’, ‘Corn Marigold’ and ‘Meadow Buttercup’.

Mike Franklin, Network Rail’s environmental specialist for the Thames Valley, said: “We take our role as a responsible neighbour very seriously, which is why we encourage our staff to volunteer for community projects such as this.

“We are keen to continue working with Kew Gardens on other projects and hope that once the meadow is in bloom, it will make the station area more attractive for passengers. We also hope it will help increase wildlife in the area, particularly bees, whose numbers are in decline.”

Vinny Ganley, co-ordinator of the ‘Grow Wild UK’ project, said: “Grow Wild UK is delighted to work in partnership with Network Rail to help transform this area of land that can be of such benefit to people and wildlife. It just shows what can be achieved when enthusiastic organisations, staff and volunteers come together.”

Ann Westgarth, community relations manager at the University of Reading, said: “Our student volunteers enjoyed a welcome break from exams and revision to help sow the wild flower area.

“The University of Reading is at the forefront of research into the importance of bees and pollinating insects so we were very happy to help provide an environment where they will thrive. We can’t wait to see this drab area full of colour and interest when the flowers bloom in the summer.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

For more information on Kew Gardens’ ‘Grow Wild UK’ project, please visit www.growwilduk.com.