Adopters come forward for Hertford East branch line

Published on: Thursday, 29 November 2012
Last updated: Wednesday, 5 October 2016

Hertford East, Ware, St Margarets and Rye House rail stations are to benefit from some extra care and attention from the local community as Greater Anglia appoints new ‘Station Adopters’ along the route.
Five new station adopters have come forward from the communities surrounding the stations to provide feedback to the train operator about standards at the station and take an active role in creating a more pleasant and welcoming atmosphere by suggesting and assisting with enhancement schemes.
Work has also started at Rye House by station adopter, Carol Porter, who is establishing flower tubs on the platforms, developing facilities for ramblers and working with local historical societies to link the station with the fascinating history of the area.
From the Spring, a Community Service Team will also get involved at Rye House to help clear unsightly vegetation from around the station environs.
At all stations along the route display boards will also be installed to display artistic works by homeless young people.
At Broxbourne, the station adopter, Keith Reast, has already transformed the station gardens surrounding the ticket office. The garden areas now boast attractive plants and flowers and create a much smart, welcoming impression to passengers as they enter the station.
Area Customer Service Manager, Alan Neville, said, “I am delighted that following our appeal for more station adopters, we now have an adopter for every station on the Hertford East branch line. Already the assistance they are giving is paying dividends and I am working closely with them to help meet our joint aims and objectives to create pleasant and welcoming station facilities for rail passengers.”
The Adopt-A-Station initiative, now in its ninth year, has resulted in over 100 volunteers around the network adopting their local stations and is aimed at improving lines of communication between the train operator and railway station users, promoting and encouraging feedback about the station buildings and facilities to help ensure that they meet the high standards expected by those who use them.
Andrew Goodrum, Greater Anglia’s Customer Service Director, said: “Our Station Adopter scheme continues to go from strength to strength with many stations in the region benefitting from the additional care and attention our adopters provide, working in partnership with Greater Anglia staff and community representatives. I am grateful to all our station adopters for their contribution and support in helping to put stations at the centre of their local communities.”