Acton Town Blooms Again with TfL Environmental Award
Station takes joint first place in TfL's annual competition
The garden at Acton Town Station. Picture: TfL
October 9, 2026
Acton Town station has added another success to its gardening record after taking joint first place in the Environment category of Transport for London’s annual In Bloom competition for the work done on a disused section of platform.
The local station shared this year’s environmental award with Ruislip depot, with TfL praising their imaginative use of old objects repurposed for their gardens.
It represents further recognition for Acton Town in TfL’s long-running gardening competition. In 2023, the station took the Cultivated Station Garden prize. The has been transformed by station staff into a riot of colour, growing plants in a variety of recycled containers with culptures and wind chimes.
In 2022, it also previously took the "Best Environment Entry" award.
Around 60 stations, offices and depots across London took part in the 2026 competition. Entries came from the Underground, Overground and Elizabeth line, as well as bus and coach facilities and TfL’s road network depots.
This year competitors were asked to incorporate a theme of volunteering. Staff were encouraged to donate plants and organise gardening workshops and classes.
The competition has particularly deep roots on London’s transport system. TfL says In Bloom began on the District Railway in 1910 and has continued for more than a century, with transport staff creating gardens at stations, depots and offices.
Ann Gavaghan, TfL Customer Experience Manager, said the competition celebrates people creating green spaces across the network while recognising their environmental and mental-health impact. She thanked those who devote time to planting and maintaining the gardens.
TfL says almost a third of the more than 3,700 hectares of land it manages is covered by vegetation, supporting more than 2,600 animal species and almost 1,400 plant species.
Acton Town’s award was one of 11 categories announced in this year’s competition.
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