Community-led refresh of Dorridge station unveiled

Chiltern Railways, in collaboration with community partners, has unveiled a refresh to the ticket hall at Dorridge station.

The project, delivered with support from the Friends of Dorridge Station and Heart of England Community Rail Partnership (CRP) has included a full refurbishment of the ticket hall and the preservation of historic features, including parquet flooring from the 1930’s.

To mark the occasion, a ribbon cutting event took place on Friday 17 May, with Meriden MP, Saqib Bhatti, Friends of Dorridge station and Heart of England CRP attending to celebrate the improved customer and community facilities.

The project included the deep cleaning and repainting of the ticket hall, as well as the refurbishment of heritage features, ensuring that Dorridge station is fit for the future while preserving its history and original charms.

The refurbishment marks the third major project supported by the Friends of Dorridge station, a dedicated volunteer group who have also delivered upgrades to the waiting rooms at the station, as well as ‘pick your own’ herb beds and colourful planters across the station.

Julia Singleton-Tasker, Lead Community Rail Officer at Heart of England CRP said:

“The Heart of England CRP is delighted to be able to contribute to the Community Upgrade Project to the ticket office at Dorridge Station.  Not only are the Friends of Dorridge preserving the history and the heritage of the station, but they're also demonstrating the incredible value of station adopters in engaging the local community with the railways. 

“Stations are functional spaces but through the work of volunteer groups like the Friends of Dorridge Station, they are also spaces that can provide insights into our local history, opportunities to showcase art and craft, and provide that important first glimpse for visitors into the area they serve.”

To celebrate these significant improvements to the station environment, Chiltern Railways has also submitted Dorridge to be a part of the Rail Delivery Group’s annual ‘World Cup of Stations’.

The contest, expected to take place in June, shines a spotlight on the variety of creative ways that stations are used, often with help from Community Rail volunteers who work tirelessly to improve stations for local residents, the environment, and the local economy.

The completion of the station upgrade also coincides with Community Rail week, beginning Monday 20 May.

Chiltern Railways support station adoption groups across the network, and provide funding through its Community Investment Fund for engagement projects that have a positive impact both at Chiltern stations and across the communities it serves.

Applications are currently open for the Community Investment Fund 2025, with grants of between £10,000 and £25,000 available for not-for-profit organisations. For more information on how to apply, organisations can visit www.chilternrailways.co.uk/sustainability/community.

Zach Bailey, Regional Growth Manager at Chiltern Railways said:

“Chiltern is thrilled to have delivered this community refresh scheme alongside our partners at the Friends of Dorridge and Heart of England Community Rail Partnership. Through our community activity we strive to deliver social, economic, and environmental benefits for local communities. The Friends of Dorridge deserve significant credit for their work over the past 15 years to make Dorridge an attractive, community led station.”