Transport for Wales has received a £100,000 Local Places for Nature grant from the Welsh Government and The National Lottery Heritage Fund to help boost biodiversity in and around its railway stations.

Features such green walls, green roofs, planters, hanging baskets, trees and water butts will be introduced at up to 22 stations where major enhancement works are taking place. 

Beehives, bird houses and bat boxes

The company will also bring in beehives, bird houses, bat boxes, bug hotels, hedgehog houses and ladybird houses to help wildlife to flourish. 

“We’re really pleased that we’ve secured this funding, which will allow us to collaborate with community partners to enhance local biodiversity near our railway stations.” Gareth Morgan, Safety and Sustainability Director, Transport for Wales

Community partnerships

Transport for Wales will be working closely with five community-based partners to encourage plant and animal life to thrive. Stations in the Caerphilly, Cardiff, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Newport, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Wrexham local authority areas will be involved in the project.

Enhancing biodiversity near railway stations

Gareth Morgan, Transport for Wales Safety and Sustainability Director, said: “We’re committed to reducing the impact and effect on local biodiversity that work across our network will have over the coming years. We’re really pleased that we’ve secured this funding, which will allow us to collaborate with community partners to enhance local biodiversity near our railway stations.

“We'll draw on the knowledge, skills and experiences of local community centres, schools, community-led projects and groups representing protected characteristics, which will be key to our shared success. Once completed, these works will have a significant impact on local flora and fauna.  

Promoting mental and physical wellbeing

Cambrian Village Trust in Tonypandy is a charity that provides outdoor activities to promote mental and physical wellbeing and is one of the local groups which will be working with Transport for Wales.

Outdoor Activity Coordinator, Gavin McAuley, said: “It’s always been in our long-term plan to create an area to grow plants, fruit and vegetables and to work with the community to help maintain and sustain it. We also work with volunteers to help maintain the park and to protect the flora and fauna within the area. Through this, we hope to develop regular groups who will be able to provide fresh produce for the community.”

Local Places for Nature grant increase 

We are offering Local Places for Nature grants of £10,000–£100,000 for capital projects to acquire, restore and enhance nature in areas of deprivation.

There are also a limited number of £100,000–£250,000 grants available for urban or peri-urban nature projects, in areas where there are high levels of deprivation or limited access to nature.

Find out more and explore the Local Places for Nature application guidance.