Train company signals green cash for new projects

A train operating company is helping communities to be green with a grant scheme worth £26,000 for tree and woodland projects.

First TransPennine Express (FTPE) has joined up with the Forestry Commission to re-launch the 'Green Grants' initiative which last year supported seven environmental projects across the North of England and Scotland. The scheme proved so successful that the amount of money available this year has more than doubled.

Green Grants is open to community groups, clubs, schools, charities and anyone who allows open access to their land. Applicants can apply for up to £2,000 per environmental project and further money will be available for grants in 2011/2012.

Cath Johnston, Environmental Manager for First TransPennine Express, helped to launch the idea. She said: "The Green Grants Scheme benefited many worthwhile areas last year so it is great to have the opportunity to do this again and enable more communities to benefit.

"We are also looking forward to working with the Forestry Commission again and I hope that it will inspire people to make a positive improvement to their local environment."

The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible for protecting, expanding and promoting the sustainable management of woods and forests.

James Bickley, Forestry Commission woodland officer, said: "We would like to thank First TransPennine Express for again putting money forward to support projects that help create, and maintain, woodland.

"The schemes this money supports are of huge social and environmental benefit to the communities they are in. Previous projects that have been supported have included the planting of new trees and flowers, access paths created, and habitat improved for rare species of butterfly.

"I hope that people will come forward to take advantage of these grants and make a real difference to the quality of their local environment."

Judges will award grants based on a description of the work, the impact it will have, involvement of the local community, the positive impact on the environment and how close the project is to the FTPE rail network.

FTPE and the Forestry Commission have worked in partnership before, donating a total of £50,000 to different woodland, tree and bio-diversity projects across the North of England and Scotland.

 Application forms for a Green Grant can be found at http://www.tpexpress.co.uk. Look under 'Corporate Social Responsibility' and then 'Environment'. Alternatively, use the following url: http://www.tpexpress.co.uk/about-ftpe/corporate-social-responsibility/environment.htm#forest