Swinton Station was alive with energy and enthusiasm on Wednesday 27 August as local people and rail industry partners gathered for a celebratory event at Swinton Station.

The event, hosted by the Friends of Swinton Station and South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), marked the unveiling of a striking new mural and a suite of biodiversity enhancements, all part of a wider initiative to commemorate 200 years of railway history as well as highlight the station’s transformation into a greener, more welcoming space for people and wildlife alike.

The mural, beautifully designed by a local artist in collaboration with Brookfield Junior Academy, draws inspiration from the station’s flourishing wildflower garden. It serves as a vibrant visual celebration of the deep connection between nature, heritage and the railway.

Complementing the mural, a range of biodiversity enhancements were revealed, including new planting areas, bug hotels, bird boxes and hedgehog homes, all designed to support pollinators, as well as information on local wildlife and how passengers can support wildlife in their own gardens.

The event was attended by a mix of partners including the local community, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, Northern, Network Rail, the British Transport Police and Mayor of Rotherham Cllr Rukhsana Ismail, to honour the collective achievements and shared commitment to biodiversity and community enhancement.

Cathrine Ashworth, community rail officer at SYMCA, said: “This project is a wonderful example of how collaboration between communities, local organisations and rail partners can bring nature to the heart of our stations. Swinton is now not just a place of travel, but a place of biodiversity, beauty and pride.”

Richard Isaac, regional community & sustainability manager at Northern, said: “Over the last two years, the Friends of Swinton Station have totally transformed a slightly neglected space into a hive of community activity, showcasing the very best of our South Yorkshire communities.”

SYMCA has previously collaborated with Community Rail Network members on a number of projects, including Bishop Line CRP and Northern’s Try the Train programme and working with the Penistone Line Partnership to install customer information screens in community spaces and other art projects at stations, including Barnsley Interchange and Chapeltown.

Learn more about SYMCA’s work in the community here.