A scenic Swansea community railway station has been given a new look for 2010.
A group of young people and volunteers has now introduced raised flower beds on the platforms of historic Pontarddulais Railway Station thanks to £5k funding from Tidy Towns – a Welsh Assembly Government initiative to help clean up communities.
The idea was originally put forward by the local branch of Merched y Wawr and the spruce-up will be officially unveiled in January.
Seven young people from Pontarddulais Comprehensive School worked on the project with teacher Sue Davies Lowe and youth worker Angela Payne to achieve a level two ASDAN certificate of personal effectiveness – a qualification equivalent to GCSE grade B that requires at least 20 hours of work in the community.
Swansea Council, Arriva Trains Wales and the Pontarddulais Partnership were also involved.
Experts from the Council’s parks department gave the young people advice on the planting process.
Some of their preparation for the revamp included a trip along the Heart of Wales line to take in the route’s beauty and get inspiration from other platforms.
Viv Makin, of the Pontarddulais Partnership, is delighted with the outcome.
She said: “The completed project looks fantastic and will boost the profile of Pontarddulais Railway Station.
“It also helps to promote sustainable tourism and we hope it will combine with other ongoing efforts to encourage people to stop off in Pontarddulais and see what’s available in the town.
“The scenery on the Heart of Wales line is stunning and we’re proud that Pontarddulais is part of the famous route.”
The Heart of Wales line is a railway journey from Shrewsbury to Swansea. Ammanford, Church Stretton and Sugar Loaf are among the other stops on the route.
Cllr Alan Robinson, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Regeneration, said: “It’s fabulous that a group of Pontarddulais young people have shown so much pride in their wonderful hometown.
“There’s something magical about rural train trips and this completed scheme will improve what’s already a terrific travelling experience.”
Take a peek at www.heart-of-wales.co.uk for more information about the Heart of Wales railway line.
Contact Sarah Jones on [email protected] if you’d like to find out more about the Tidy Towns scheme and the funds that can be applied for.
