A railway station has been given a green-fingered makeover thanks to local businesses and residents.
The platform at Lichfield City station has seen the creation of a ‘natural’ version of Lichfield Cathedral.
Bay trees and flowers were used as part of a link-up between train operator London Midland and the Lichfield Festival.
Richard Lewis, president of Lichfield Chamber of Trade and Commerce, and chair of the Blooming Lichfield Committee, said: “It really has been a community affair.
“Blooming Lichfield has jumped at the opportunity to support London Midland to brighten up the station by supplying hanging baskets for the front of the building. Additionally, the Tourist Association and Lichfield District Council has helped to install attractive planters on the platform areas.
“I’m sure that passengers will benefit from a cheery addition of colour to their journey.”
The planter will now be looked after by a new group which is set to adopt the work and expand the project to include artwork created by local schools.
Brian Pretty, Chair of the Lichfield District Tourism Association, added: “Congratulations to both London Midland and Blooming Lichfield for all their hard work in getting this project off the ground. It is an excellent example of partnership working.”
Going forward, the ‘cathedral’ display will be tended by a new Lichfield City station adoption group, which is currently being formalised, and the adoption project will be expanded to include artwork by local schools for the station.
Fabulous, you can stare at the plants whilst basic facilities like toilets remain closed.
Careful, it’s now a £36 fee for ridding of garden waste, best not increase the number of gardening-needs around here.
Finally! Somewhere pretty for me to relieve myself into while I’m waiting for the last train back.
The plants are lovely but I would apreciate toilet facilities after travelling back from New Street!
No toilets, constantly delayed and cancelled services.
Overpriced tickets. Unfriendly and unhelpful staff. Overcrowded services.
Judging by the smell, I have to assume the someone urinates in the lift every morning.
But we have a planter. All is good with the world.
I’m all for greening up communal spaces and mean no disrespect to the volunteers who appear to have done a lovely job, but as I said elsewhere regarding London Midland’s free onboard wi-fi gimmick, I’d just as soon have cheaper fares, thank you very much. In the UK we pay the highest rail fares in Europe.
And surely station toilets aren’t too much to ask of a company that managed a pre-tax profit of almost £100m last year?
On a more serious note, I once witnessed an adult woman hike up her skirt, squat down and piss in the middle of the platform. In the middle of summer it was, in full view of some poor sod’s kitchen window while he was cooking dinner.
I tweeted London Midland about it, I was furious. I’d been looking forward to that soup all day and she ruined it.
Surely someone at Lichfield Chamber of Trades & Commerce knows a good plumber who could fix the toilets? How long have they been out of order?
Must have been a hell of a powerful torrent if she managed to ruin your soup from the platform Toast.
@Annie
The public message from London Midland is that they were closed due to ‘unsociable behaviour’ on instructions from BTP.
Personally I think it’s a money saving manoeuvre. No toilets, no staff to maintain them. Also, does anyone seriously believe that the police can force you to close a toilet?
I found this rather interesting, the most expensive places in the world to buy a travel card.
For those of us paying £110 a month to travel between Lichfield and Birmingham. It hurts.
Monthly ticket public transport prices in 2017
1. London £135 ($174)
2. Dublin £102 ($132)
3. Auckland £95 ($123)
4. New York City £91 ($118)
5. Tokyo £86 ($111)
6. Amsterdam £84 ($109)
7. Sydney £83 ($108)
8. Zurich £82 ($106)
9. Melbourne £82 ($106)
10. Toronto £80 ($103)
Source: Deutsche Bank
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-39806865