L-R: David Edwards, Jez Williams, Martyn Tudor and Sarah Jones.

Pontarddulais station has been given a major facelift thanks to a group of young people and local volunteers.

The station, which is situated on the scenic Heart of Wales railway line has been cleared of overgrown vegetation and fitted with new raised flower beds thanks to £5,000 of funding from the ‘Tidy Towns’ initiative – a Welsh Assembly Government initiative to help clean up communities.

The idea was originally put forward by the local branch of ‘Merched y Wawr’ and was taken forward with support from City and County of Swansea, the Pontarddulais Partnership and Arriva Trains Wales.

Seven young people from Pontarddulais Comprehensive School worked on the project with teacher Sue Davies Lowe and youth worker Angela Payne to achieve a level two ASDAN certificate of personal effectiveness. This is a qualification equivalent to GCSE grade B that requires at least 20 hours of work in the community.

Experts from the Council’s parks department gave the young people advice on the planting process. Some of their preparation for the revamp included a trip along the Heart of Wales line to take in the route’s beauty and get inspiration from other platforms.

Viv Makin of the Pontarddulais Partnership, said: “The completed project looks fantastic and will boost the profile of the railway station. It also helps to promote sustainable tourism and we hope it will combine with other ongoing efforts to encourage people to stop off in Pontarddulais and see what’s available in the town. The scenery on the Heart of Wales line is stunning and we’re proud that Pontarddulais is part of the famous route.”

Councillor Alan Robinson, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Regeneration, said: “It’s fabulous that a group of Pontarddulais young people have shown so much pride in their wonderful hometown. There’s something magical about rural train trips and this completed scheme will improve what’s already a terrific travelling experience.”

Jez Williams, station manager for Arriva Trains Wales, said: “The transformation of the station is exceptional and completed in less than four months; it is something that everyone involved can be proud of. Pontarddulais station now joins the growing number of stations along the Heart of Wales line that are lovingly cared for by dedicated volunteers and we are grateful to them all for their support.”