If you have ever waited in traffic at Kew Bridge, you may have found yourself wondering why Kew Bridge Station looks so unappealing. Kew Bridge Station is the gateway for thousands of people to visit the magnificent Kew Gardens as well as other attractions such as the Kew Bridge Steam Museum and the Music Museum and its current appearance leaves a lot to be desired. At least that's what local MP Mary Macleod thought, so she set to work getting together a taskforce of local residents, businesses and Network Rail to see what could be done about it.

Thanks to the efforts of Mary and the group, Network Rail have already made some significant improvements to the station, including the removal of graffiti, increased litter-picking, bating for rats and providing more litter bins.  They have also undertaken a programme of development work to the Station House, which will start following agreements on the conservation of the property and should be complete within the year. Mary went to visit the Station House last week to see what’s needed to transform this listed building. Such is the current condition of the building that she had to be fully kitted up in a hard hat and safety shoes!

Mary commented: "I am really pleased with the positive response from Network Rail and I look forward to seeing the transformation of the Station House and surrounding area over the coming months. There is still much more that needs to be done to improve this particular area, including trying to address the issues of traffic congestion and I will continue to work with all relevant parties on this. However I am delighted with this major step forward. It shows how local residents and businesses can really make a difference to their communities when they work together." 

Photo: Mary Macleod MP and Councillor Paul Lynch visit the Station House at Kew Bridge Station