Volunteers and rail partners come together to transform the station environment
Around 20 volunteers joined forces at Ellesmere Port Station as the newly formed Friends of Ellesmere Port Station group began work to improve the station environment for passengers and the wider community.
The volunteer event brought together members of the Friends group alongside colleagues from Network Rail, Merseyrail and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. Together, they carried out a station clean-up and restoration project across key areas of the station.
Within just four hours, volunteers transformed a number of tired and damaged station planters. The team repaired, repainted and replanted the displays while also removing overgrown vegetation and weeds from across the station grounds.
As a result, Ellesmere Port Station now provides a brighter, greener and more welcoming environment for passengers travelling by train.
Partnership working delivers positive change
The project highlights the value of partnership working across the railway industry and local communities.
Friends of Ellesmere Port Station is a newly formed volunteer group supported by North Cheshire Community Rail Partnership. The group aims to strengthen the connection between the station and the community. It also helps create a welcoming environment for everyone who uses the railway.
Volunteers worked alongside teams from Network Rail, Merseyrail and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority throughout the day. Together, they demonstrated the positive impact that community rail projects can achieve.
Paul Owen, Area Director for Network Rail, also joined the volunteers and supported the activities taking place across the station.
Local support for the station
Volunteers were delighted to welcome local MP Justin Madders during the event.
He spent time talking with volunteers and learning more about the project. In addition, he picked up a paintbrush and helped repaint one of the station planters.
His visit highlighted the important contribution volunteers make to improving local railway stations and community spaces.
The start of a longer-term commitment
The clean-up day marks the beginning of ongoing volunteer activity at Ellesmere Port Station.
Members of the Friends of Ellesmere Port Station group will continue caring for the newly restored planters. They will also monitor the station environment and support future improvement projects.
Furthermore, the group continues to grow. Additional volunteers are expected to join in the coming weeks.
These improvements support North Cheshire Community Rail Partnership’s vision of creating stations that feel welcoming, safe and connected to the communities they serve.
Community rail in action
Community rail is about much more than trains. It brings people together, creates pride in local places and helps stations become valued community assets.
Projects such as this show how volunteers, railway organisations and local partners can work together. As a result, they improve the passenger experience and strengthen connections between railways and communities.
North Cheshire Community Rail Partnership would like to thank everyone who contributed their time, enthusiasm and effort to the project. The success of the day provides a strong foundation for future improvements at Ellesmere Port Station.
Could you get involved?
Volunteers play an important role in supporting local railway stations and community rail projects.
Whether you are interested in gardening, environmental improvements, community engagement, heritage projects or helping improve your local station, there are opportunities to get involved.
Find out more about volunteering with North Cheshire Community Rail Partnership and discover how you can support community rail activities across the region.
