Battlesbridge Station Partners Up With Essex Wildlife Trust

Battlesbridge station has become a focus for conservation due to its local volunteers.

Nathan Dodd and Chris Honeyman are volunteer station adopters with Greater Anglia, who have teamed up with Essex Wildlife Trust.

The duo are now Urban Wildlife Champions. They have already completed lots of projects at the station such as creating a wildflower meadow, extending the garden area and installed a water butt.

With Essex Wildlife Trust, the plan to do more to improve areas to support wildlife such as insect refuges, hedgerows, and bat boxes.

The Urban Wildlife Champions initiative focuses on community led conservation similar to Greater Anglia's Station Adoption scheme.

Many of the station adopters have a focus on increasing biodiversity at local rail stations. The network is increasingly recognised for their wildlife efforts.

Danielle Carbott, Wilder Communities Manager for Essex Wildlife Trust, said: “Evidence shows that if 1 in 4 people take action for wildlife, the scales can be tipped back in favour of nature. For this to happen, Essex needs community-led, grassroots action. We are supporting Urban Wildlife Champions across the county and encourage anyone with an idea or a project to come forward and get involved. ”

Chris Honeyman commented: “Over many years, different types of wildlife have taken the initiative to call Battlesbridge station home. By teaming up with the Essex Wildlife Trust, we're helping to ensure this is protected and supported so that it continues to flourish.

“Such a scheme is only possible with teamwork and we are grateful for the support of our local Parish Council, Railscape, Greater Anglia, our local plant nursery and RHS Hyde Hall.

“So far we have created a wild meadow, installed a water butt to help save water and filled planters with native flowers casting a rainbow of colour which adorns the platform, thus making the site attractive to not only passengers but bees and butterflies as well and we are looking forward to achieving even more as Urban Wildlife Champions.”