Published on: Tuesday, 17 November 2020
Last updated: Tuesday, 17 November 2020
Volunteers have been hard at work transforming Rayleigh station with the installation of new floral displays.
Large planters have been constructed by six enthusiastic volunteer station adopters and funded by the Essex and South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership.
The filled planters will welcome visitors to Rayleigh whilst offering an inviting feature for those waiting on the platforms to enjoy.
Over six tonnes of soil was needed for the three planters which have been filled with hardy perennials, spring daffodils, pink Mexican Daisies and blue Hebes which will offer both attractive foliage throughout the year as well as create a bright floral display that will last the summer.
Jayne Sumner, of the Essex and South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership, said, "We were pleased to help the station adopter volunteers with funding for this fantastic project to bring some colour and beauty to Rayleigh station’s platforms.
"The new floral displays will provide a cheerful and attractive welcome to residents and visitors alike."
Alan Neville, Community and Customer Engagement Manager at Greater Anglia, said: "I am hugely grateful to the volunteers at Rayleigh station. They are incredibly hard working and did a brilliant job with the planters. I’m sure they will delight passengers and be a real source of pride for the community."
Greater Anglia’s Station Adoption initiative sees local people across the network get involved with their local stations to come up with ideas and projects that benefit their communities.
Many volunteers across the network have planted gardens which provide habitats for local wildlife as well as making the stations more welcoming. In total over 5700 square metres of gardens are tended to – the equivalent of 29 tennis courts.