Signal box bug house and planters coming to Barnstaple Station thanks to a GWR grant

Plans for a signal box style bug house and new planters at Barnstaple Railway Station as part of a project to brighten up the station have received a £2,500 grant from Great Western Railway.

The grant was awarded to Friends of Barnstaple Railway Station after it applied to the train operator’s Customer and Community Improvement Fund, which was launched in January to support local communities and address areas of social need.

Two teams are now working on this project. A local Men’s Shed is constructing new railway wagon planters and will create a bespoke signal box style bug house while they will also repair the existing planters. Men’s Sheds are community spaces for men to connect, converse and create.

A heritage team also will help design the history boards that will celebrate the station’s 170 years of history.

It is expected the project will be completed by the end of August.

Above: The enhancement project for new planters, a bug house and history boards is being drive by the Friends of Barnstaple Station. Credit: GWR

Friends group chair Tim Steer said: “We’re extremely grateful for this funding from Great Western Railway, which will help to enhance the station’s environment for all rail users as well as create history boards to tell community groups about the station’s history.

“Barnstaple station is the terminus for GWR customers who join the North Devon line, and it continues to steadily grow in usage. Enhancing the station will attract new customers to the rail network as well as help keep up the Friends of Barnstaple Railway Station’s award-winning work.

“The island platform is going to be a focal point for many photos, what an incredible first and last impression it will create.”

GWR senior community impact manager Emma Morris said: “The Customer and Community Improvement Fund is a fantastic opportunity for us to invest in our communities in projects that really make a difference at a local level.

“We’re delighted to support this particular initiative, which will help enhance the station environment as we come into the summer.”