Media centre

Wednesday 3 Nov 2021

Network Rail volunteers go green for a sustainable Stroud

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Passengers travelling to and from Stroud will notice a difference at the station after a team of volunteers worked to clean-up the platform during Community Rail Week.

Volunteers from Network Rail recently joined forces with Gloucestershire Community Rail Partnership (GCRP) and Edible Stroud to brighten up Stroud station, improving the station environment for passengers travelling on the railway this autumn.

The clean-up was organised as part of Community Rail Week, a celebration of the work of community rail groups and the role they play in promoting sustainable journeys, which took place from 18 to 24 October.

In keeping with this year’s theme ‘go green by train’, the volunteers removed weeds and overgrown vegetation from Stroud’s disused platform, ensuring that future volunteering days can focus on maintaining the station’s raised beds. Community volunteers will return to grow and harvest edible plants with the help of Edible Stroud, a local organisation committed to increasing the amount of fresh, organic, locally grown food to help reduce the town’s carbon footprint.

Vicky Clift, customer support manager for Network Rail, said: “It was fantastic to see Network Rail colleagues use their volunteer days to help the community group at Stroud station.

“Community Rail Week is an important date in the calendar, showcasing the hard work of local volunteers and raising awareness of sustainable travel and the social and environmental benefits of the railway.

“Supporting community projects means that we can work alongside local residents to improve public spaces and create a welcoming environment for passengers”.

Hannah McDonnell co-director of Gloucestershire Community Rail Partnership said: “The energy and enthusiasm that the Network Rail volunteers brought to Stroud station during Community Rail Week was inspirational. Their collaboration demonstrates the positive impact of supporting community activity and working in partnership.

“GCRP looks forward to helping Gloucestershire’s stations thrive as places that support communities, rail users and visitors to encourage increased use of sustainable modes of transport.”

Josie Cowgill, Edible Stroud organiser said: “Edible Stroud is delighted to collaborate with Gloucestershire Community Rail Partnership and Network Rail to create this edible and wildlife friendly area at Stroud station. We look forward to working together on the raised beds in the near future.”

Anyone interested in taking part in future volunteering opportunities at Stroud station is welcome to come along and join in, more information is available by emailing Vicky.Clift@networkrail.co.uk