Review of Bucknell WI's railway station ban case

A Shropshire WI banned from tending a railway station garden for health and safety reasons has had its case referred to two Government reviews.

Bucknell WI has been told it needs to enter a licensing agreement with landowners Network Rail before its ladies can continue to work on the garden at the village railway station.

Network Rail bosses have insisted they are acting in the WI's interest by providing a "safe and secure" environment.

However, the ladies refused, and their experiences have now been submitted to a review on health and safety regulations and Lord Hodgson's review on red tape by Ludlow MP Philip Dunne.

Mr Dunne said he believed the Bucknell case was an example of both health and safety rules and red tape "strangling" voluntary groups.

He said he hoped their case would help inform government policy making.

Beryl Starr, president of Bucknell WI, added: "We resolved at our last meeting not to enter into the agreement sought by the railway authorities, since it does not suit the particular circumstances of our voluntary help."

She added: "It would be a shame if bureaucracy and form filling were to stifle good, safe, local volunteering."