Newport (Essex) Railway Station - Adoption

Adoption

In November 2010 the Station was "adopted" on behalf of the community by the Newport Business Association (NBA). At the heart of Newport the railway station serves over 200,000 passengers every year. With commuters bound for London and Cambridge and children attending the Newport Free Grammar School it is people’s first sight of Newport - their introduction to the village. The station is 165 years old and was last decorated 10 years ago. It has been left gradually to fall into disrepair and neglect with graffiti and litter and a dilapidated cross-over bridge lacking non-slip surfacing to the stairs.

In conjunction with National Express East Anglia, Network Rail, British Transport Police and local businesses NBA is renovating the Station, making the gateway into Newport welcoming, attractive and secure for businesses, residents and visitors alike. The station is having the front entrance renovated, bridge refurbished, station buildings repainted and decorated and replanted and landscaped wild flower areas. One in three mouthfuls of the food we eat is dependent on pollination and honey bees are dying out across the world. The overgrown woods and gardens will therefore be planted up with flowers and shrubs that encourage birds, bees and butterflies.

2500 plants have been planted in 2011 and further 300 lavender plants and five cherry trees have been planted near the station in 2012. The renovation plans for 2012-2013 include the re-opening of the community cafe at the station. The cafe will operate on sustainable energy supplies, and will serve as a landmark destination for food, drink and beverage for commuters, walkers, residents and businesses. As part of the community project, a history Mosaic of Newport station will be created with the help from the children from local schools. The Mosaic will span 2m x 3m or 1m x 6m, being made in 1m x 1m sections. This relates to the sections each school and volunteer groups will make to achieve the final design. Working closely with regional ramblers and walkers 10 new walks are being created starting from the station and going out into the beautiful countryside. An extension to this initial Mosaic will be to take elements of the imagery and create nature walks posts into the surrounding area, using well known public footpaths and "signposting" elements of our flora and fauna from the Mosaic onto mile posts on local walks. To promote the nature walks, the Dick Turpin Family Fun Walk event will take place in August 2012. The Walk will help to promote the history of the area and notorious highwayman Dick Turpin was chosen as the 18th century character who was born here. Various give-aways will include the maps of walks in the area, with Newport station as central hub for walkers.