Community collaboration is named Chiltern Railways’ Project of the Year

A creative, community-led collaboration driven by staff and students at BNU has been named Overall Project of the Year at the 2025 Chiltern Railways Community Awards. 

The groundbreaking partnership between the University, Chiltern Railways and environmental charity Chiltern Rangers has transformed High Wycombe Train Station with new artwork – designed by art and design students – wildlife planting and biodiversity initiatives. 

The project was celebrated as a shining example of creative collaboration with community impact in front of an audience of community and industry partners, and local authorities at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall this week. 

Other winners included the Baker Street Quarter Partnership for Community Investment Fund Project of the Year; and Friends of Lapworth Station for Station Adoption Group of the Year. 

Investing in High Wycombe 

Through funding from Chiltern Railways’ Community Investment Fund, BNU’s art and design students worked on a live brief to produce the station’s bespoke artwork. The 20 pieces of artwork, reflecting the town's heritage and culture, are now proudly on display on the station overbridge.

And staff volunteers worked with Chiltern Rangers to plant native flowers and shrubs and to create wildlife friendly habitats, transforming the station and improving the experience of passengers and the local community. 

The transformation came ahead of the refurbish and reopening of Brunel Engine Shed, which is once again open to the public as a unique community space.

Find out more about BNU’s commitment to community research and knowledge transfer locally.