Residents of historic railway cottages in Crewe have launched an appeal to fund the second phase of a unique gardening project.

The Railway Cottages (Crewe) Residents Association, representing people living in Dorfold, Betley and Tollitt Streets, have worked together to create a green oasis in the town centre and now want to secure it with cottage garden fencing in keeping with the age of the properties.

Crewe Engineering and Design UTC (University Technical College), will support with the design and manufacture but the residents need to raise £6,000 to cover the cost of materials.

The railway cottages were built by the Grand Junction Railway Company in 1845 and are the last remaining examples of their design in Crewe (Supplied).

Residents Association chairman, Kevin Edwards, who has lived on Dorfold Street for 39 years, told Nub News: "Last year we undertook the renovation of a 300ft long border by the cottages to improve the habitat for wildlife and increase the biodiversity by introducing plants which provide nectar, food sources and homes for different species.

"This also improved the usability, accessibility and attractiveness of the border for the residents and created a sense of community ownership and a bond between neighbours.

"It was a big undertaking. Working with the Cheshire Wildlife Trust and Crewe Town Council the Residents Association developed a planting scheme incorporating 1000 plants to attract birds and pollinating insects. 

"This year, the Residents Association would like to enhance the appearance of the border and protect it from damage caused by pedestrians and dogs by installing a cottage garden fence styled to blend in with the age of the cottages."

The terraced houses were built by the Grand Junction Railway Company in 1845 and are the last remaining examples of their design in Crewe.

Crewe Engineering and Design UTC (University Technical College), will support with the design and manufacture but the residents need to raise £6,000 to cover the cost of materials (Supplied).

Built to house railway workers, the 49 red brick cottages were once earmarked for demolition to make way for a car park but remain as a testament to townspeople who fought to save their beloved corner of Crewe. 

Grade II-listed, the dwellings were designed by John Cunningham, the architect who created Liverpool Lime Street Station, and were part of John Locke's original town layout for the Grand Junction Railway Company. 

Kevin, a retired Bentley engineer, said: "These cottages are an important part of Crewe's railway heritage and together we are working hard to make our little corner of Crewe greener and more attractive. 

"We hope we can win support from local people and businesses. For Crewe companies supporting this project, it would be an opportunity to raise your profile in the centre of your home town." 

The border originally had a planting scheme that was introduced as part of the renovation of the cottages in 1978. But 46 years later it was overgrown and in need of some attention.

Anyone who can support the project is asked to contact Kevin by emailing [email protected] (Supplied).

The transformation including flowers and vegetables attracted much media attention – including a spot on the news with Granada TV. Journalists described it as a "lush green oasis providing food and friendship." 

Anyone who can support the project is asked to contact Kevin by emailing [email protected].