Mayor launches ‘Merseyrail in Bloom’ initiative to make stations brighter, greener and more welcoming

Mayor Steve Rotheram has launched Merseyrail in Bloom, a new programme aimed at making the city region’s railway stations brighter, greener and more welcoming.

The initiative, promised by the Mayor during his election campaign, will see the Combined Authority and Merseyrail work closely with people living on the rail network to make stations more connected to local communities.

People living nearby stations and regular commuters can contribute to combatting climate change too, by planting up station gardens and encouraging pollinators to green spaces across the rail network.

Speaking at an event attended by representatives from more than 50 community partnerships and station adoption groups, the Mayor said the aim of the scheme was to make the rail network ‘one that we’re proud to call our own’.

 Mayor Rotheram with Merseyrail Managing Director Neil Grabham and members of station adoption volunteer groups from across the city region

Hundreds of people across the region already volunteer their time preserving station buildings and tending platform gardens and planters and Merseyrail in Bloom will acknowledge and reward their hard work.

Community groups are being encouraged to enter their station into the scheme, with their maintenance and improvement work being recognised with bronze, silver, gold or platinum status.

Additional funding of £250 per station will also be made available to help groups taking part in the initiative.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said:

 “Over the past few years, we’ve made significant investments in our region’s rail network – from a brand new station Headbolt Lane in Kirkby to a state-of-the-art fleet of fully-accessible trains, and the most important improvements are yet to come.

“I want to take back control of our railways to run them in the best interests of people here in the Liverpool City Region. Merseyrail in Bloom is a new initiative that will help empower the fantastic volunteer groups who look after our stations to help make them more beautiful and welcoming places.

“This is not only about growing flowers but it’s literally a grassroots initiative – growing connections between our rail stations and the people they serve. It’s all about building a rail network that works and one that we are proud to call our own.”

 Neil Grabham, Merseyrail Managing Director, said:

“The work that the station volunteers do on the Merseyrail network is fantastic, and we’re all so grateful for everything they do. They ensure that our customers’ experience is an exceptionally positive one, and the volunteers’ work contributes to the pride we all have in Merseyrail.

“This event was a special way of saying thank you for their hard work, and to ensure they get supported in the years ahead. Merseyrail In Bloom will be a fantastic way for communities to show pride in their local area and in the Liverpool City Region.

“We’d love to have even more keen gardeners come down and get involved with their local stations, and anyone interested should get in touch with us by asking a member of station staff.”

Entries to the Merseyrail in Bloom initiative will be judged according to four key criteria:

Community – how does the station include, represent and engage with nearby communities and what opportunities are there for local people to play their part.

Gardening – quality and variety of planting and changing displays and how they’re cared for and improved throughout the year.

Art & Heritage – how does station artwork show skill and imagination, reflect the station’s surroundings and history, and showcase talent of local artists, schools or community groups.

Environment & Sustainability – how is green space at or around the station maintained and how is sustainability addressed e.g. by rainwater harvesting, composting, recycling, encouraging bees and wildlife etc.