Station spruce-up needs your involvement

The Friends of Batley Station held their first official meeting on Tuesday evening after a ‘dummy group’ set up by Coun Gwen Lowe (Lab, Batley West) got things moving late last year.

Pete Myers from Northern Rail confirmed that they would provide a “blank canvas” by cleaning, painting and providing barrels and soil ready for flower planting.

But Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidate Jo Cox insisted: “There’s only so much Northern Rail and the companies responsible could do,” and appealed alongside Coun Lowe to residents for their commitment.

Someone has already shown interest in re-opening the shop, the public were told.

Audience member Phil Cain said afterwards: “Without a shop we’ve got nothing. It’s a distant place in an industrial environment.”

Nine people joined the committee after the meeting, which will allow the group to open a bank account to get any future projects going.

Friends of Batley Station (FOBS) want to include arts groups, schools and any other volunteers who would be willing to lend a hand.

Dave Pearson from the West Yorkshire Combined Transport Authority also confirmed that electrical boards for train times will soon be put up.

On Friday March 27 and Saturday March 28 Creative Scene are hosting free interactive bingo, projected on buildings approaching the station, between 7.30pm-9.30pm.