ELLESMERE PORT railway station has won an  award in the Cheshire Best Kept Station Competition.

The station, which is managed by Merseyrail,  won the Roberts Bakery Special Award at an  awards evening, at the Weaver Hall Museum in  Northwich.

The High Sheriff of Cheshire and seven mayors,  including the Mayor of Ellesmere Port, Cllr Gareth  Anderson, and the Lord of Mayor of Chester, attended and applauded Ellesmere Port’s win.

John Hulme, organiser of Cheshire Best Kept  Stations,  said: “The Roberts Bakery Special Award  is in recognition for the volunteer work carried out  at the railway station by the Friends of Ellesmere  Port Station and also for support given by local  company Veolia Environmental Services. It is a  superb example of creative partnership working  between the train operator, Merseyrail, the local  council, Cheshire West and Chester Council, a local  business and community volunteers – those unsung heroes in the community.”

The award follows work carried out last year at  the station by local volunteers with help from  Veolia Environmental Services. The front of the  station has been landscaped, flower beds and  planters have been installed and the station bus  shelter has been refurbished.

Michael Trevor-Barnston MBE, the chairman of  Cheshire Crimebeat, who presented the awards,  said: “It is good to see the local community  involved at their local railway station. At Cheshire  Crimebeat we know that this makes a real difference and contributes to making an area a better  to visit, live and work in.”
David Roberts, from Roberts Bakery who sponsor the award, said: “Roberts Bakery is very pleased to support Cheshire Best Kept Stations and its achievements. We are delighted that  Ellesmere Port has this won this award especially as the local community have made such  a positive contribution.”
Bart Schmeink, managing director of Merseyrail, said: "This is Merseyrail's first win in the Cheshire Best Kept Station Competition. My real thanks go to the volunteers  who have worked at the station alongside Veolia  Environmental Services. They have transformed  the entrance to the station making Ellesmere Port  a far better place to travel from by train.”