A new cycle shelter with a living roof has opened at Chappel & Wakes Colne station to improve facilities for cyclists and encourage wildlife at the same time.

The project, a first on the Greater Anglia network, was delivered in partnership with the station’s dedicated volunteer adoption team, who work with Greater Anglia to enhance and care for the station.

It has been funded by Community Rail Network, the Essex and South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership, Councillor William Sunnuck’s Community Fund and the Essex Local Nature Project.

The living roof contains drought-resistant sedum plants, which will provide a range of habitats and seasonal flowers. It also includes a water feature with plants that support aquatic life, along with insect houses for solitary bees and other small insects.Interpretation boards have also been installed to help visitors identify bees, insects and butterflies.

Once established, the vegetation layer will help create a valuable habitat for pollinators such as bees and butterflies, while also absorbing rainwater, improving air quality and enhancing the overall appearance of the station.

The initiative follows the station receiving ‘Wildlife Friendly Stations’ accreditation last year from Greater Anglia, in partnership with the region’s Wildlife Trusts, which assess how well stations support wildlife and biodiversity.

One of the recommendations from the assessment was to install a cycle shelter with a living roof to further enhance opportunities for wildlife to thrive.

Katherine Beck, Chappel & Wakes Colne station adopter, said: “I’m delighted we’ve been able to deliver the new cycle shelter and living roof. It forms part of our wider aim to make the station a welcoming place for both passengers and visitors to the East Anglian Railway Museum. Cyclists can now leave their bikes in the dry, which I hope will encourage more people to travel by bike. In fact, I’ve already noticed an increase in the number of cycles being used.

“The living roof will also provide a valuable opportunity for young people to learn more about wildlife, and we hope to welcome local schools to explore and see what they can discover.”

“I am very grateful to all the funders who supported this project, as well as Southern BME, who carried out the work. Their support has helped enhance the station for both passengers and wildlife.”

Alan Neville, Greater Anglia’s Customer and Community Engagement Manager, praised the efforts of the volunteers: “Our station adopters continue to deliver innovative and inspiring projects that make a real difference to their local stations. This living roof cycle shelter at Chappel and Wakes Colne is a great example of how volunteers are enhancing the railway environment while also supporting biodiversity. We are extremely grateful for the dedication and enthusiasm shown by Kath and the wider adoption team.”