GWR Grant Freshens up St Austell Railway Station

A project to spruce up St Austell Station with new floral displays has received a £2,700 grant from Great Western Railway.

Volunteers from the Friends of St Austell Station have used the funding to replace some of the existing planters and extend displays further along the platform.

As part of GWR’s franchise agreement with the Department for Transport, the train operator has a Community Cohesion Fund designed to assist GWR Station Adoption Groups.

Friends’ member Wendy Earl said:

“A stunning floral display at our station will make an immediate positive impact on locals and visitors.  St Austell is now promoting itself as a ‘Garden Town’ with the support of seven local, nationally-important gardens – Eden Project, Heligan Gardens, Caerhays, Trewithen, Tregrehan, Tregothnan and Pine Lodge – so a welcome of colourfully-planted tubs is vital. 

“The main objective is to not only replace the few deteriorating old planters but add to them with long-lasting and easily-maintained ones. This would make a much brighter station and hopefully inspire others to join the volunteer group.”

St Austell and Newquay MP Steve Double said:

“I am delighted to see Great Western Railway supporting Cornwall like this. It is important that we all work together as we start the recovery from Covid-19 and that means supporting local communities wherever we can. 

“I am particularly pleased to see support for the Friends of St Austell. I know they will do a great job with the floral display at the station which will help promote our Garden Town status.”

GWR Community Manager Emma Morris said:

“Friends of St Austell Station have done a tremendous job in maintaining these floral displays over a number of years and this funding will help to give the station a colourful new look as we look forward to spring.”

Find out more here: https://www.gwr.com/about-us