STAFF of London Midland and Network Rail turned out in force to give Malvern Link adopters a hand in clearing green areas at the station in readiness for an ambitious woodland planting project.

The station was adopted in March by Malvern Community Forest in partnership with Malvern Civic Society, with the adopters having joined London Midland’s Adopt a Station scheme.

The project will serve to create a mini nature reserve at the station, with woodland, hedgerow, pollinator and fruit tree areas to help sustain a variety of wildlife including bumble bees and birds.

The focus of the work is Platform 2, both the area along the platform, which the adopters have now cleared and sown with wildflower seeds, and the extensive area adjacent to the platform’s access path.

During the summer, rail staff helped two major community working sessions, with the second serving as the final push to ensure the new garden is ready for the final tree planting on December 1.

The beech and yew trees, saplings and whips of indigenous tree species like ash, birch, hazel and oak, will help form a sustainable woodland habitat for wildlife.

Ken Timms, lead adopter and chair of Malvern Community Forest, said: “It has been really exciting to see this project start to come to life.

“The hard work is now paying off. Thanks to the help of many colleagues from across the railway, we will soon be ready to get the trees in, some of which have been kindly donated by the local community, including Three Counties Traditional Orchard Project.

“Our objective is to provide something new for passengers, the community and of course wildlife, plus a resource with lots of potential for learning about the different habitats.”

Faye Lambert, head of community rail at London Midland, said: “The adopters have worked tremendously hard and should be proud of what they have achieved.

“We have had great support from Network Rail and our own colleagues at London Midland, who have turned out in numbers to lend a helping hand.

“It is a great example of what can be achieved through working in partnership.

“As well as helping local people to show their pride for their community, our Adopt a Station scheme also empowers people to share their skills.

“Many thanks to Malvern Community Forest for sharing their expertise to create this new ecosystem at Malvern Link and support some very important wildlife.”

Visit malverncommunityforest.org.uk and londonmidland.com/adoptastation for more information.