Could ‘Stationwatch’ be the next big nature audit? Bold ambition of Northern biodiversity project

The train operator joined forces with a leading conservation charity to conduct site-specific habitat surveys at six of its stations across the North of England.

Experts from Derbyshire Wildlife Trust have assessed the species that are native to Bolton (Greater Manchester), Buxton (Derbyshire), Harrogate (North Yorkshire), Hebden Bridge (West Yorkshire), St Helens Central (Merseyside) and Worksop (Nottinghamshire) stations and are now developing interventions that will support the local landscape and boost biodiversity.

Buxton station in Derbyshire was the first of the six to start its ‘biodiversity makeover’, with a number of site-specific measures now introduced, including:

• The planting of existing gardens with native wildflower and pollinator-friendly species to support the local bilberry bee population
• The creation of a new wellbeing area filled with scented plants
• Signage providing guidance to rail users about how they can take positive action for nature in their own green spaces.

The team is set to add more measures to this first phase with wall rack planters creating a 'green wall' and new trees to be planted at the front of the station in the autumn. 

Mike Roe, safety and environment director at Northern, said: “Our biodiversity ambition is that the environment around each and every one of our stations is not only welcoming to nature, but actively supports it too.

“The interventions unveiled at Buxton are unique to that location and we look forward to seeing what will work at the remaining five stations in this first phase.

“Anyone that loves to take part in Gardenwatch, stay tuned – before long we could be enlisting your support for the first ever Stationwatch.”

Earlier this year, Northern opened the first ‘bug hotel’ at its station in Gargrave (North Yorkshire) as part of a separate project designed to educate schoolchildren on biodiversity and the importance of caring for local habitats.

Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with nearly 2,500 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.