A team of more than 25 volunteers turned up at Greenbank Railway Station on Friday 25th November following a decision to clean up the Stations in the Northwich area.
The day was masterminded by Cheshire West and Chester’s Northwich and Rural North Partnership Team under the leadership of Area Manager, Mark Simmons with support from local Rail Officer, Sally Buttifant.
The station, which sits beside a local housing estate, has always had a fair amount of problems and the emphasis on the project was to tidy up the station so that it provides a more welcome start for those travelling by train and those visiting the Greenbank area.
There is no doubt that a clean and tidy station enhances a community and is the best promotion to get people off our congested roads and onto public transport.
Northern Rail manages the station and it is part of their corporate strategy to encourage community involvement.
But it is not just the mass of volunteers that has made this a success but the number of local bodies involved.
Those involved included, local partners and members of the Area Programme Board, Northern Rail, Cheshire West and Chester’s Streetscene, Northwich Town Council, Friends of Anderton and Marbury, Groundwork, Weaver Vale Housing Trust, Barclays Bank, Friends of Northwich Station, Cheshire Police, NHS Western Cheshire, Christ Church Greenbank and the Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership.
Harry Boardman, local Northwich resident and Northern Rail appointed Community Adopter for Greenbank Station said:
“I would like to thank the Cheshire West Team for setting up this day and for motivating all those organisations to get involved. The real outcome of the day is that we have now added to our “Friends of Greenbank Station” which means the Clean Up will continue on an on-going basis. This is Good News for both the Station and for the local Community”.
John Hulme Vice Chairman of the Mid Cheshire Rail Users Association and Organiser of Cheshire Best Kept Stations said:
“I must congratulate Cheshire West’s Local Area Partnership Team and Sally Buttifant, the Local Rail Officer, for this innovative way of creative partnership working. Its outcome has been an action plan that has not only delivered but also, increased the Friends of Greenbank Station. This will ensure the good work continues.
Last year my judges were able to present Greenbank Station with our “Big Society Award”. This is what the Government’s Big Society is all about. Local volunteers contributing to their community and making a positive impact that all can enjoy. The best news is continuity. A one day clean up will not resolve Greenbank Railway Station’s long term problems but an active Friends Group will”.
