Railway workers tidy up memorial garden for man who died when struck by train on duty

Railway workers have come together to tidy up a memorial garden for a worker who died when he was struck by a train on duty a decade ago.
The clean-up. cc Annie WrightThe clean-up. cc Annie Wright
The clean-up. cc Annie Wright

Ernest Rodgerson, 60, was struck by a train and passed away at the Whitehall triangle junction of the railway in Leeds in 2009.

Almost 10 years on, 14 men and women from SCNA dedicated their time to 'nurturing' the private sate off Water Lane in Holbeck and bringing it back to its former glory.

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The garden includes a brass plaque dedicated to Mr Rodgerson, who worked on the railways for 35 years.

The completed work cc Annie WrightThe completed work cc Annie Wright
The completed work cc Annie Wright

The plaque at the garden site reads: "Every day we think of you.

"Remembering the good times we shared.

"Never will we forget you.

"In our hearts you will live forever.

"Eternally you will be missed."

Work from the team - who completed the project in conjunction with Network Rail - included planting donated plants and replacing fence panels.

Annie Wright, team organiser, said the work was a huge success.

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She said: "All of the people donated their time and efforts.

"We are so thankful.

"We did not know Ernest but it is a place for workers to come down and pay their respects.

"A lot of the railway workers who still work in Holbeck remember him so they come down and can sit and eat their lunch and remember him.

"I am so glad it is looking much better."

Businesses across Yorkshire donated supplies including soil from Alan Wilcock in Leeds and 72 bottles of water from Makro in Leeds.

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Annie said she was very grateful for all of the support of businesses across Leeds and Yorkshire who had donated to the cause.

She added: "We have had the team put together the planters earlier this week.

"Today we have planted all of the donations, painted the fences and jetwashed the garden among the other jobs."

Annie hopes the team's efforts will spark further work on the garden in future years.

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She said: "Hopefully the garden will not be left as long next time.

"The flowers in the garden will need to be replanted and the memorial maintained so we all hope this continues in the future."

A Rail Accident Investigation Branch report described Mr Rodgerson as an "experienced and safety conscious" man.

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