IDEAS are being sought to smarten up a large open space at Bicester North railway station seen by thousands of people a day on passing trains.

People are being asked for creative proposals to use sections of a 500sq metre slice of land at the station, which was formed during recent alterations.

Plots are could be offered to groups and individuals, businesses, who would have to pay, community groups or artists.

The land is an open expanse, covered with soil, at the south end of platform two, across the line from the station buildings. It is likely to be divided into four equal sections.

Adrian Shooter, the chairman of Chiltern Railways, which runs the station, said: “Chiltern is very keen to work with local organisations to find a positive use for a very large flower bed at Bicester North station.

“It has the potential to be a fantastic introduction to Bicester.”

The scheme is being run in partnership with development organisation Bicester Vision.

Chairman Bob Langton said: “The station is receiving an ever increasing number of foreign visitors, so it’s important that we make the best high profile use of this space as an additional welcome to Bicester for Rail passengers.”

Ideas should be submitted in writing, including illustrations, to the Bicester Vision Manager, c/o 38 Market Square, Bicester, Oxon, OX26 6AL, by Tuesday, June 7. For more information on the project, email ben@bbkmedia.com