Published on: Tuesday, 8 August 2023
Last updated: Tuesday, 8 August 2023
Visitors to Rye Meads nature reserve, Hertfordshire, are being encouraged to leave the car at home and go by train.
New signage has been installed on the route from Greater Anglia’s Rye House rail station to Rye Meads nature reserve to highlight its proximity and brighten up the walk for visitors.
Eight banners have been produced by the New River Line Community Rail Partnership, with funding from Community Rail Network and the help of local photographers who have donated their images of local wildlife.
Matt Bartlett, Rye Meads Nature Reserve’s Visitor Experience Manager, said, “We were delighted to work with the New River Line CRP on this project. Bringing people to the reserve by train instead of the car is a much more sustainable way to visit and helps to protect our fragile wildlife by reducing pollution in the local environment.”
Katie Goldthorpe, New River Line Community Rail Partnership officer, said, “We’re really pleased to improve our links with the nature reserve and highlight the easy rail connection. We hope people will enjoy seeing the images on the banners and feel inspired to visit the reserve or explore more of our county by rail.”
Paul Webster, Support and Development Manager, Community Rail Network, said, "Encouraging passengers to visit local attractions near to railway stations is one of the activities Community Rail Partnerships do really well. The local knowledge of the New River Line CRP about Rye Meads nature reserve, combined with the connections the CRP has built with talented local photographers such as Stuart Fox, have resulted in this eye-catching visual link from the station which we are pleased to be able to support with a funding contribution.
“We expect many new visitors will be inspired by these stunning banners and signage as they approach the nature reserve and they and others will share how easy it is to visit it by train.”
The New River Line Community Rail Partnership works with Greater Anglia, Hertfordshire County Council and other local organisations to help keep local branch lines thriving for the benefit of their communities.
