Just five years after it opened, Worcestershire Parkway railway station on the Birmingham to Bristol and Oxford to Worcester main lines has become carbon neutral.

During the station’s design, Worcestershire County Council worked with rail development consultancy SLC to minimise carbon emissions in line with the council’s Net Zero Carbon Plan.

An examination of data from the RSSB Rail Carbon Tool and analysis by SLC has shown that the station has reached the stage where it removes more carbon from the atmosphere than is emitted during its construction and operation.

To mark its carbon-neutral status, representatives from Worcestershire County Council, SLC, CrossCountry and Great Western Railway met with students from Norton Juxta Kempsey Primary School who have been involved in the station from the design stage.

Since it opened on Sunday, 23rd February 2020, the station has exceeded forecast passenger numbers, and saved approximately 1,800,000 kgCO₂e each year, which offsets the station’s annual operational emissions of 145,121 kgCO₂e.

To minimise low carbon usage during its construction, material was reused on-site to reduce the need for importing new construction materials, and enough carbon was saved equivalent to that emitted during electricity generation for powering approximately 60 homes.

Sam Uren, Director of SLC commented that reaching carbon neutral status demonstrates the power of well-planned infrastructure that encourages people to use the railway instead of cars.

GWR Regional Development Manager, Eleanor Wills added that new stations such as Worcestershire Parkway are vital in bringing the railway closer to people. The figures show how much the station is a real success, and the importance of good, local transport links to the environment and the local economy.

Worcestershire County Council views Worcestershire Parkway achievement of reaching carbon neutrality just five years after opening as a testament to the hard work and dedication put into ensuring the station is both a hub for sustainable transport and a model for environmental responsibility. It plays a crucial role in shifting people to greener transport options, reducing congestion, and helping to move closer to a sustainable future across the county.

Sarah Marshall, Deputy Headteacher at Norton Juxta Kempsey CE Primary School, said: “Norton Juxta Kempsey CE Primary School pupils have been deeply involved in the station for some time, from designing hoarding boards before it opened to working on sustainability and wildlife conservation initiatives. We are thrilled to see the station reach carbon neutral status. It has been a fantastic opportunity for pupils to genuinely contribute to their local community and to put into practice all that they learn about caring for their environment. At NJK we work together with the love and joy of God to maximise our unique potential, and we hope that we can continue to make a positive contribution.”