I UNDERSTAND

Colas Rail UK (CRUK), NR & GWSR work together at Winchcombe Station

Author:
Alex Farran
Category:
Published:
September 28, 2023

• 30 volunteers construct a play area for local children and a seating area • Focus on a sustainable approach with the use of recycled wooden sleepers

During the summer, Colas Rail UK’s (CRUK) Signalling team dedicated a day to volunteer alongside Network Rail and volunteers from the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) at Winchcombe Station.

Working together, the 30 strong team of volunteers created a play area along with some table and chairs for the local children and community to enjoy while at the station.

The team recycled wooden sleepers from previous worksites as they aimed for a sustainable approach while sourcing materials.

Speaking about the initiative, CRUK Programme Manager, Dan Palmer, said: “It was a great initiative which we were delighted to be a part of and support the community we’re working in.”

“I would like to pass on my thanks to the teams within Colas Rail UK and Network Rail who attended during a particularly busy period within the Signalling & Telecommunications (S&T) Framework. A special mention to our supplier Ground Control who volunteered a day in cutting the logs to size and to my colleague, Chris Courtenay for organising with GWSR.”

“An excellent collaboration and really pleasing to see the finished product.”

The thoughts were shared by GWSR Track Maintenance Manager, Paul Fuller: “It was fantastic to welcome such an enthusiastic and passionate group of volunteers to our site at Winchcombe.”

“The end result is a play area that can be enjoyed by the children of our local community.”

CRUK’s Signalling team are currently completing a comprehensive programme of works in the region as part of Network Rail’s S&T framework.