19 Mar 2021

Transport for Wales has been awarded £100,000 from the Welsh Government’s Local Places for Nature scheme and the National Lottery Heritage Fund to enhance local biodiversity at and near its railway stations.

TfW will introduce green features for up to 22 of its stations in areas where major enhancement works are taking place on its network including green walls, green roofs, planters, hanging baskets, trees and water butts. Beehives, bird houses, bat boxes, bug hotels, hedgehog houses and ladybird houses will also be introduced to boost local biodiversity.

TfW will support local biodiversity projects in collaboration with five community partners within one mile of its railway stations. The company will enhance biodiversity and promote a variety of plant and animal life at several stations in the local authorities of Caerphilly, Cardiff, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Newport, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Wrexham. 

Gareth Morgan, Transport for Wales Safety and Sustainability Director, said: “We’re committed to reducing the impact and effect on local biodiversity that work across our network will have over the coming years. We’re really pleased that we’ve secured this funding from the Welsh Government’s Local Places for Nature scheme and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, which will allow us to collaborate with community partners to enhance local biodiversity near our railway stations.

“We'll draw on the knowledge, skills and experiences of local community centres, schools, community led projects and groups representing protected characteristics, which will be key to our shared success. Once completed, these works will have a significant impact on local flora and fauna. 

“This success highlights the benefits of collaborative working and I’m grateful to all teams involved, including our colleagues in Network Rail. Their input has contributed to our successful grant application which will benefit local communities.”

Gavin McAuley, Outdoor Activity Coordinator at the Cambrian Village Trust, Tonypandy, added: “Cambrian Village Trust is a diverse and inclusive charity that offers outdoor activities to help promote physical and mental well-being.

“We’re very fortunate to have this opportunity to work with Transport for Wales to help preserve and protect our biodiversity at CVT, Cwm Clydach Countryside Park and across Mid Rhondda. It’s always been in our long-term plan to create an area to grow plants, fruit and vegetables and to work with the community to help maintain and sustain this garden. We also work with volunteers to help maintain the park and to protect the flora and fauna within the area. Through this, we hope to develop regular groups who will be able to provide fresh produce for the community.”