A project to plant 15 trees on land around Stonehouse Station has received a £2,000 grant from Great Western Railway.
Stonehouse Town Council wants to engage around 50 members of the community in the tree planting, including local businesses and schoolchildren.
As part of GWR’s franchise agreement with the Department for Transport, the train operator has a Community Cohesion Fund to assist small community charities, enterprises and station adopters.
The Arboricultural Association’s chief executive (and former Town Councillor) John Parker said: “This grant from GWR will allow us to make some really great additions to the Stonehouse Community Arboretum in a way which will engage the local community and deliver all of the environmental, social and economic benefits that trees bring.
“As well as benefitting Stonehouse residents, GWR passengers on the trains passing through the town will also get to enjoy seeing the trees as they grow into maturity in the landscape.”
Location and species selection, as well as the planting and aftercare, will be agreed upon in consultation with John, who is volunteering time for the project.
GWR Community Manager Emma Morris said: “The town council is very keen to improve the approach to Stonehouse Station and this funding will help bring the community together for a project which will benefit generations to come.”
