Green-fingered volunteers breathe new life into Dewsbury station
Passengers arriving at Dewsbury station are now greeted by a brighter, greener welcome thanks to a recent planting project led by volunteers and community partners.
Staff from TransPennine Express (TPE), Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), facilities partner Bidvest Noonan, and the Friends of Dewsbury Station joined forces to revitalise the station entrance. The team cleared overgrown beds and replaced tired vegetation with a colourful mix of pollinator-friendly plants.
The effort began with a large-scale clean-up, as volunteers rolled up their sleeves to prepare the ground. Once the space was cleared, the Friends of Dewsbury Station stepped in to re-plant the area with a variety of species chosen to support bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects.
“This project is part of the wider work we’re doing to increase biodiversity across our network,” said Steve Gilder, Environment Delivery Lead at TPE. “By introducing pollinator-friendly planting at our stations, we’re helping to create valuable habitats while also improving the environment for our customers and communities.”
As well as boosting biodiversity, the refreshed beds provide a welcoming splash of colour for passengers using the station. The Friends of Dewsbury Station, who regularly care for the external beds, will continue to maintain the new planting to ensure it thrives for years to come.