- Inspired by the Chelsea Flower Show, Network Rail installs climate change garden at London Victoria
- Display highlights the damaging effects that heat and dry spells inflict on the railway and the innovations used to tackle them
With summer arriving across large parts of Britain, millions of sun-seekers are warmly embracing the change in the weather forecast.
But while this heat wave is welcomed by most, it brings into sharp focus the huge challenges that weather events, brought on by climate change, increasingly pose to elements of day-to-day life.
And to highlight what this means for the railway, Network Rail has created a special Summer Rail Garden inside London Victoria station to show how hot and dry weather affects the network and the work that takes place what’s being done to keep trains running safely and reliably for passengers.
Lisa Angus, Network Rail’s industry weather response director, said: “Following on from the Chelsea Flower Show, we are showcasing our own garden – with a twist – at London Victoria station.
“Due to climate change, summer weather now brings more extremes than we have seen before, and can present real challenges for the railway, and many of these are not widely known or understood.
“That’s why we have designed a garden specifically to bring to life the work that goes on behind the scenes to keep trains running – helping keep passengers moving to visit family and friends, head to the countryside, the coast, or wherever else they like to go when the sun is shining!”
Extreme heat can affect track, ground conditions, power and signalling systems, increasing the likelihood of disruption across the network, while sudden summer rainfall can cause flooding and threaten lineside equipment and structures.
The garden brings those challenges to life, featuring a buckled rail, sagging overhead line equipment and dried, cracked soil – the things passengers rarely see but which can have a significant impact on their journeys.
The garden also highlights how these challenges are being addressed through long-term planning, innovation and new technology, helping to strengthen the resilience of Britain’s railway network.
Lisa added: “Through a combination of proactive monitoring and investment in smart technologies — including remote sensors and innovative cooling solutions — we’re protecting critical infrastructure and keeping passengers moving safely during extreme weather.
“We hope customers passing through London Victoria station will take a moment to explore the garden before heading off on their journey.”
Built using reclaimed wooden sleepers and recycled track, the garden was installed into the station over the late May Bank Holiday weekend. It will remain at the station until Saturday 30 May, after which it will be dismantled and reassembled at the National Railway Museum in York, where it will have a permanent home.
