Transport for Wales support for local biodiversity projects will see plot of land developed next to Hawarden Bridge station

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. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

One of those will be in Deeside where Enbarr Foundation is to develop an empty plot of land next to Hawarden Bridge station. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Deeside-based Enbarr Foundation is heading up a project to transform the former John Summers Steelworks headquarters building in Shotton – next the Hawarden Bridge station – into a community hub. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

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.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

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