Ken with group member Christine Ashford
Assembly Member Ken Skates praised a volunteer-run group after a lunch to celebrate its 10th birthday.
Ken, the Labour AM for Clwyd South, attended the Friends of Chirk Station’s anniversary event at the town’s parish hall on Friday (June 6) to mark a decade since the group formally ‘adopted’ the award-winning-station.
He said: “The volunteers have worked tirelessly for Chirk over the past decade and have done an amazing job in improving the station for the many passengers who use it every week. The members have achieved so much and are a credit to the town.”
Spokeswoman Christine Ashford said: “We do lots of gardening work, keeping the station clean, tidy and free of weeds, rubbish and graffiti and generally making the whole site an environment that is appreciated not only by our community but also by train users and tourists who come to visit this area.
“Footfall has doubled since the adoption and now we have CCTV cameras, an extended car park, monitors in both shelters and a few awards. We have had great fun and success.”
Earlier this year the Welsh Government confirmed Chirk Station will get a £2m cash injection as one of five across Wales which will share £12m to improve their access, which Mr Skates said was ‘fantastic news’ for the town.
The £2m will deliver a ramped footbridge, providing an accessible route to platform one for the first time, and will also provide an accessible drop-off point, disabled car park spaces and improved station signage. Work is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Mr Skates added: “The campaigners have for years called for improved access at the station, and – just like them – I am delighted that that these long-awaited plans are now able to get off the ground.
“The Friends of Chirk Station played a key role in winning this major Welsh Government investment for the town – it’s a deserved reward for their hard work and dedication.”
