A PROJECT to enhance Barnstaple railway station with new planters, a signal box style bug house and history boards has received a £2,500 grant from Great Western Railway.

Friends Of Barnstaple Railway Station successfully applied for a grant from the train operator’s Customer and Community Improvement Fund, which was launched in January to support local communities and address areas of social need.

As part of GWR’s National Rail Contract with the Department for Transport, the train operator is committed to supporting schools, colleges, councils, community and other not-for-profit organisations by aiding several initiatives.

Two teams are now working on this project. A local men’s shed is constructing new railway wagon planters and will create a bespoke signal box style bug house while they will also repair the existing planters. Men’s Sheds are community spaces for men to connect, converse and create.