Visitors arriving at Ledbury station will soon be able to learn more about the town’s history thanks to a community grant from West Midlands Railway and the vision of local residents.
A new project will see glazed information display cabinets installed at the site, featuring artistic maps of the town along with guides to Ledbury’s history and heritage buildings. Artists from the local community have been commissioned to produce art and calligraphy for the display.
The scheme is being led by the Rail & Bus for Herefordshire group with the support of Ledbury Town Council and Ledbury Civic Trust. It has been funded by a grant from the West Midlands Railway “Your Community, Your Fund” scheme.
Fay Easton, head of stakeholder and community for West Midlands Railway, said: “Ledbury is a fascinating destination and an integral part of the West Midlands Railway network, which is why we are so pleased to be supporting this scheme to help our customers learn more about the historic town.
“With increased numbers of people expected to resume using the railway later this year, it is the perfect time for interpretation schemes like this to breathe life into our stations and communities.”
The “Your Community, Your Fund” scheme is funded by the Department for Transport and was previously known as the Customer & Communities Improvement Fund. Under the scheme, West Midlands Railway and sister company London Northwestern Railway will invest a total of £1.7million in dozens of community projects across the network in coming months.
Gareth Calan Davies, of Rail & Bus for Herefordshire, said: “This is an exciting community project designed to bring the station and town together. It will promote Ledbury as a jewel of a heritage town on the West Midlands Railway network. It will help advertise the town and strengthen the community whilst supporting the train service.
“An attractive brochure advertising the town and its buildings and encouraging people to travel by train will also be produced for distribution. Travelling by train is good for the environment and will assist in reducing traffic in the town centre and maintaining Ledbury’s attractive heritage.”
For more information on the project email Gareth on ghal@btinternet.com or for more on community schemes at West Midlands Railway email fay.easton@wmtrains.co.uk
Photo credit: West Midlands Railway
0113 2082620
info@railbusinessdaily.com
15 Mariner Court, Wakefield WF4 3FL
