Media centre

Friday 23 May 2025

Bradford school’s station clean-up for City of Culture 2025

Region & Route:

Eastern

| Eastern: North & East

Schoolchildren have been proving it’s not only the major gestures that matter as Bradford celebrates being UK City of Culture 2025.

Monday 19 May saw the opening of a new platform 0, built by Network Rail to boost the number of LNER seats between Bradford Forster Square station and London by more than 36,000 a week.

A couple of miles up the line from Forster Square is Frizinghall Primary School, who have been busy sprucing up nearby Frizinghall station.

Tim Goddard, Network Rail maintenance protection co-ordinator, said: “This was a joint initiative we ran with Bradford Council’s enforcement officers and Frizinghall Primary School, assisted by Railscape.

“Everyone came together, assisted by, to clear the litter and fly-tipping from the area behind the Shipley-bound platform, as well as litter on the pavements and approach to the station.

“The children were delighted to be involved and took great pride in giving this little corner of their community a welcome boost.

“We’re pleased to see positive action like this on the railways, showing that support for Bradford’s time as UK City of Culture is not confined to the major projects.”

Cllr Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s portfolio holder for healthy people and places, added: “It’s great to see everyone working together for a common cause. The schoolchildren helping out is fantastic and will help them take pride in their local community.

“This Bradford UK City of Culture Year will hopefully build a lasting legacy of everyone keeping the district tidy and clean.”

Victoria Merriman, headteacher at Frizinghall Primary School, said: “Taking pupils out on visits is an integral part of our school curriculum and we plan visits to places which are accessible by train.

“We are very fortunate to have a train station so close to school and we really value our partnership work with rail providers. The school is committed to community working so we were delighted to be invited to this community event.”

The litter-pick and clear-up at Frizinghall station is part of wider efforts to see lasting improvements in the appearance of this section of railway.