On 23rd January, Walsall Football Club became the centre of creativity and innovation as it hosted the much-anticipated Design a Railway Station For 2030 Awards Ceremony. This unique competition challenged over 100 students from across the West Midlands and Black Country to design a railway station for 2030, removing budget constraints to inspire boundless imagination and futuristic vision.
Showcasing Talent Across the Region
The competition welcomed a diverse range of participants from SEN and mainstream schools and colleges, including Halesbury School, Wolverhampton College, Penn Fields School, Baginton Fields Academy, Calshot Primary School, Hive College, Phoenix Collegiate, Tettenhall Wood School, and King Edward VI Aston School. These students showcased their ingenuity by designing stations that captured their creative potential and considered sustainability and future technological advancements.
Expert Judging Panel
The designs were evaluated by an esteemed panel of judges, including representatives from the West Midlands Combined Authority Careers Hub, Women in Rail, and prominent rail industry leaders such as Balfour Beatty, RSS Infrastructure, Midlands Rail Alliance, Young Rail Professionals, Network Rail, West Midlands Trains, and Tended. The rigorous judging process highlighted the innovative ideas and exceptional effort invested by the students.
Monica Barbosa, Client Services Director at RSS Infrastructure, reflected on the competition’s success: “This competition has been a shining example of what happens when we encourage young people to think beyond limits and dream big. Their designs were imaginative, forward-thinking, and a real testament to the talent we have in the region. Well done to all the participants – you have made us incredibly proud! I can’t wait to see what next year brings.”
A Surprise Guest: Perry the Bull
A highlight of the ceremony was the surprise appearance of Perry the Bull, the iconic mascot from the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Perry’s enthusiastic participation added an extra layer of excitement, as he personally congratulated the students on their achievements.
Celebrating the Awards
The awards ceremony itself was an inspiring celebration of young talent. Leanda Waring, Community Manager at Auctus Management Group, captured the day’s spirit: “What a fantastic showcase of creativity and innovation this competition was! It’s inspiring to see young minds pushing boundaries and coming up with such imaginative ideas. This competition truly highlights the incredible talent. A massive congratulations to all the participants – you’ve set the bar high! Looking forward to seeing what the next competition brings.”
She added: “The awards ceremony was fantastic! The awards given to the winners were well-deserved, and it was brilliant to see the young talent being celebrated in such a meaningful way. Truly an event to remember.”
The Future of Rail Starts Here
The Design a Railway Station Awards was more than just a competition; it gave students an invaluable opportunity to engage directly with the rail industry, learn about its challenges, and contribute to its future. By encouraging innovation and imagination, this event underlined the vital role of young talent in shaping the sustainable and efficient rail systems of tomorrow.
Congratulations to all the participants, teachers, and institutions involved in making this event a resounding success. The future of rail infrastructure is undoubtedly bright, with such visionary talent leading the way.
Build Community Engagement
RSS Infrastructure is committed to fostering creativity and innovation that drives community engagement and builds social value. To learn more about how we can deliver impactful community projects. For sponsorship and social value, contact Monica Barbosa, Client Services Director, at monica.barbosa@rssinfrastructure.com. Schools and colleges should contact Leanda Waring, Community Manager, at leanda.waring@auctusmg.co.uk
