Arriva Trains Wales | STATION MURAL HELPS SPREAD SAFETY MESSAGE

STATION MURAL HELPS SPREAD SAFETY MESSAGE

Ten children from three Rhondda Valley schools have worked together to create a colourful new mural which has been unveiled at Tonypandy railway station.

Tonypandy Station Mural The pupils from Trealaw Primary, Alaw Primary and Porth County Community School helped design and paint the mural in a project led by Trealaw Communities First and Rhondda Cynon Taf Community Arts.

The arts project forms part of the ‘Adopt a Station’ scheme run by Arriva Trains Wales where community volunteers help keep their station in the best possible condition.

Mary Duckett, co-ordinator for Trealaw Communities First, said: “The station was adopted by the pupils of Trealaw Primary in April 2005 and this is the second mural project we have completed.”

She continued: “We worked with the children for a week during the summer holidays and chose a theme reflecting areas of interest and landmarks around Trealaw. Each of their drawings were put together to complete the overall design.”

Before the unveiling, thirty children from Trealaw Primary received a lesson in railway safety from Andy Evans, partnership officer from the British Transport Police. The children met officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team based in Pontypridd and watched a real life video highlighting the dangers of trespassing on the railway.

Geraint Morgan, community affairs manager for Arriva Trains Wales, said: “By getting the children involved at an early age, our aim is to give them an opportunity to learn about the local community and create a sense of ownership in their railway station.”

He continued: “We are looking forward to taking the project further with plans to improve the inside of the waiting shelter with some more artwork and hopefully some flower beds along the station footpath, which will give a bright and welcoming appearance to rail users.”

More than 150 unstaffed stations have been adopted across the Arriva Trains Wales network since the scheme’s launch in 2004.

The children involved in creating the mural were: Mollie, Mitchell, Bradleigh, Ammie, Danielle, Corey, Josie Leigh, Carly, Brianna and Kiara