Ashurst railway station to be turned in to wildlife hub

ASHURST railway station will be given a wildlife boost in a project with the RSPB.

The charity has partnered with South Western Railway (SWR) to make four stations more welcoming to nature.

This will include planting wildflowers, cutting holes in fences for ‘hedgehog highways’ and putting up nest boxes.

The stations were chosen for their proximity to existing habitats and nature reserves, as well as their available space for wildlife.

SWR’s head of sustainability, Amy Dickinson, said: “We’re passionate about using our stations as a local force for good, both for our communities and wildlife.”

Sam Tarrant from the RSPB added: “We are thrilled to be working with South Western Railway – by welcoming everything from bugs to bats to their stations they are showing how much room there is for wildlife in every part of our lives.”

A similar scheme in 2014 created homes for local wildlife such as bats and reptiles at three flagship stations in Surrey.