Hednesford Station Adoption Group has announced that in partnership with West Midlands Railway, Hednesford Station will be transformed to provide greater benefits to the local community.
West Midlands Railway runs a fund called The Customer and Communities Fund, will be providing a £105,000 grant to carry out work at Hednesford Station.
This grant will provide just over two-thirds of the finance required to complete the project.
Facilities to feature on the site include:
- A Café – based in a fully restored railway carriage fitted out as a Café
- Leisure Garden – created from scratch and featuring a Community Hub
- A Restored Coal Wagon – in recognition of the local mines
- Edible planting boxes
- Outdoor Seating
- A Greenhouse
- Cycle Rack
This is fantastic news for the local area, providing a great space for local people to use and attract tourists to the local area.
The project may potentially lead to employment opportunities, further boosting the local economy and providing valuable jobs.
Chairman of the Heart of Hednesford Station Adoption Group David Wisehall said: “This is an ambitious and unique project for the town centre.”
“The community hub will make productive use of an area of disused space at the edge of the town car park that adjoins the railway station.
“This will be a unique venue and a fantastic place for community groups to meet.”
“The scheme will be both environmentally and disability friendly, with the carriage being accessed by ramp and step-free access.
“The cream of the Commonwealth countries' mountain bikers will descend on Birches Valley in Cannock Chase, and we are the nearest station, so we're hoping that our renovated rail carriage will be open for visits in time to welcome global visitors.”
“We would hope to be able to use renewable sources of energy where possible and harvest rainwater for the flower beds and plants on the platforms and in the garden.
“We will also erect a greenhouse in the garden to grow our own plants for use on the station and also as a source of revenue.”
Head of Stakeholder and Community for West Midlands Railway Fay Easton said: “This inspired concept will provide a centrally-located community hub amenity for the town centre and will also convert a ‘waste' piece of ground into a striking setting for a vintage railway carriage which will bring visitors from miles around.
“The community group work tirelessly for the benefit of Hednesford and West Midlands Railway have been honoured to work with the volunteers over the years as they have enhanced the platforms at the station and we now look forward to supporting where we can as the group bring this visionary project to life.”
For further information about the scheme, visit the Heart of Hednesford Station Adoption Group Facebook page.
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