Media Centre

National Express East Anglia's Alresford station 'adopted'

7 Jul 2008

Alresford station is receiving some extra tender loving care after being adopted by local resident Frank Belgrove, under National Express East Anglia’s Adopt-A-Station initiative. Mr Belgrove will be presented with his official certificate of adoption by Mark Tye, National Express East Anglia’s Duty Station Manager for the Sunshine line on Tuesday 8 July at 10:00am at Alresford Station.

Mr Belgrove commenting on why he wanted to be a station adopter said:

“This lovely old station is at the very heart of our village and has served a number of generations of commuters. I knew that in past years the station had been picturesque and had won prizes for its appearance - I felt it could be brought back to its former glory and it is well on its way now. We are all very proud of it.”

Mark Tye, Duty Station Manager said:

“We have already seen Alresford station benefit from Mr Belgrove’s attention. He is a really active adopter and has put a lot of effort into the station. I am delighted to present Mr Belgrove with his official certificate of adoption today. His hard work has already benefitted the community. We are very grateful to him.”

Over recent months Alresford station has been looking better than ever. National Express East Anglia took over the staffing of Alresford station from Network Rail in late 2007, since then ticket office clerk Karen Smith, aided by Frank Belgrove have undertaken jobs as diverse as tending the garden to undertaking minor repairs.

So far around a hundred of the train operator’s 167 stations have been adopted. Adopt-A-Station volunteers report to the train operator about the standard of facilities at the station and many have also worked hard to bring their own schemes to fruition – such as acquiring new benches for the platform, planting gardens and filling flower tubs, and helping to keep the platforms free from litter.

The Adopt-A-Station initiative is aimed at improving lines of communication between National Express East Anglia and station users, promoting and encouraging feedback about the station buildings and facilities to help ensure that they meet the high standards expected by those who use them.

Adoption involves no financial contributions. The only criteria is that volunteers are regular users of the station and are willing to fill in an occasional ‘health check’ questionnaire to help keep National Express East Anglia informed of how well the station facilities are meeting customers’ needs (in addition to the regular inspections already carried out by National Express East Anglia staff).

Notes to Editors
Photo call: Tuesday 8 July at 10:00am at Alresford Station.

For further information please ring the National Express East Anglia Press Office on 0207 549 5966 / 5964.