A tiny train station has been unveiled at Blackfriars Station as part of a floral installation to attract insects and showcase how Londoners can maintain biodiversity in their own gardens.
“Bug Station” is made up of leaves, pinecones, wood and other sustainable materials and sits alongside a cluster of seasonal flowers and plants to attract important critters such as bumblebees, caterpillars, butterflies and moths.
The installation, designed by artist Alice McCabe, was unveiled on Monday by Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) — the train operator for Southern, Great Northern, Thameslink and Gatwick — to promote biodiversity.
Only thought of as “nuisance” species, plants such as nettles, brambles and dandelions have purposely been made a key feature in the design to make a statement on the importance of biodiversity.
A single nettle patch can support over 40 species of insects, while dandelions can supply food to a number of pollinators including bees, butterflies and hover flies.
The installation aims to educate Londoners on biodiversity and mirror eco-friendly projects that are being carried out at station gardens across the GTR network.
Alice McCabe is a multimedia artist creating floral installations with foraged materials. She has a particular focus on repurposing and recycling natural materials.
The rail operator will also hand out free seed packets at major stations.
Containing wildflowers such as meadow cuttercup, sorrel and red campion, the packets will be available at Blackfriars, Crofton Park, Welwyn Garden City, Salfords and Gipsy Hill train stations from April 6.
Jason Brooker, head of environment at GTR, said: “This living art installation is a visual reminder about the little things we can all do to help the planet.
“Rather than cutting back wildflowers and nettles, we should consider the wildlife that these plants help to support, such as bumblebees, caterpillars, butterflies and moths. This is something we’re actively changing at GTR to ensure the maintenance of our stations is balanced with supporting wildlife.”
The rail operator has completed more than 100 landscaping and rewilding projects, including introducing bee and bug “hotels” to outdoor spaces.
It’s working with the London Wildlife Trust Consultancy to carry out ecological surveys at specific sites this year.
David Mooney, of the London Wildlife Trust, said: “There are lots of simple things people can do at home to encourage and support wildlife, such as building log piles to attract bugs and beetles, installing bird and bat boxes, or growing a patch of wildflowers.”
The living art installation will be on display at Blackfriars for a limited time. All of the materials featured in the display will be donated and rehomed to GTR station gardens.
The station is one of London’s most sustainable, being home to the world’s largest solar powered bridge which reduces CO2 emissions by around 513 tonnes.
