Volunteers brighten up train station with winter blooms

PLATFORM PLANTS: Commuters will see a bit more colour on their journeys this winter after station volunteers brightened up a platform with almost 100 evergreen shrubs.

Ten volunteers from the Alsager station's Friends Group planted up a new bed on platform one.

Faye Lamber, an officer for North Staffordshire Community Rail Partnership, which aims to develop train stations, said: "It looks great.

"Last year we had volunteers planting spring bulbs and more than 150 flowering shrubs on the Derby-bound platform."

The new shrubs were purchased with a £250 grant from the Association of Community Rail Partnerships.

The partnership now hopes to introduce CCTV and bicycle storage at the station.

Claire Ansley, route manager for East Midlands Trains, said: "The work the volunteers have done so far on the station has been absolutely fantastic and we are delighted with the results."

Pictured is Community Rail Project Officer Faye Lambert, left, and volunteer Gill Evans. Picture: Phil Radcliffe