Chiltern Railways has awarded a total of £150,000 to 11 community projects across its network.

Funded by the railway’s Community Investment Fund, the projects are designed to improve relationships between local communities and the railway and are focused on biodiversity, wellbeing, placemaking, and skills development.

The projects have the dual benefit of improving station environments and providing opportunities for people to learn new skills.

The projects include:

• In Aylesbury, a community art project will work with local young people and artists to create public artwork to improve the station environment.
  
• A station underpass at Denham will be improved with a mural to improve its appearance, safety and accessibility, and to improve links to a wider walking and cycling network in the town.
  
• At Kings Sutton in Northamptonshire, galleries will be created at the station, which capture local memories and connections to the railway and foster pride.
  
• A project at London Marylebone Station will combine community rail experiences with art therapy, promotion of local businesses, and station greening to create opportunities for social inclusion.
  
• An ivy screen will be installed around a primary school playground near Wembley Stadium to improve privacy and biodiversity.
  
• In Brent, mentoring and life-skills workshops will be provided for young people to help them build confidence and explore career opportunities.
  
• A community rewilding area with wildlife habitats and an interactive educational nature trail will be created at The Sherriff Centre in West Hampstead to promote biodiversity and wellbeing.
  
• In Princes Risborough, new community events will be established to encourage participation and healthy lifestyles by reviving youth sporting opportunities and promoting the nearby Phoenix Trail.
  
• In Warwick, public art, wayfinding, and placemaking will be established to create an attractive route between the station and the town centre.
  
• At High Wycombe and Saunderton in Buckinghamshire, station gardens will be improved, and wildlife habitats and public art will be created to make the stations more welcoming.
  
• A wayfinding and placemaking programme will link the new Winslow station in Buckinghamshire with the town centre, with welcome signs, heritage trails, and attractive planting.

Other train operators also operate their own community funds, including London North Eastern Railway and Avanti West Coast.

“This year’s Community Investment Fund is supporting a diverse range of projects that will strengthen connections between the railway and the communities we serve, helping people make the most of the places and opportunities our network links together. “From community art and biodiversity initiatives to youth development programmes, each project has been designed and led by local organisations with a deep understanding of the needs and aspirations of their communities. We are proud to support their work and look forward to seeing the lasting positive impact these initiatives will deliver across our network.”

Michael Stewart, Commercial and Customer Strategy Director, Chiltern Railways