Kingston University academic leads Root and Branch Line events to explore the hidden stories of a suburban railway

A new series of free public arts events led by Kingston University academic Dr Martin Dines will invite residents to see the Chessington branch railway line in a new light, uncovering the rich ecological, cultural and community stories that lie alongside one of south west London's shortest rail routes.

Most commuters experience railways as a means of getting from one place to another. But Root and Branch Line, a new creative programme devised by associate professor Dr Dines in partnership with Kingston-based community organisation The Community Brain, is encouraging people to slow down and discover the landscapes, histories and hidden connections that exist beyond the train window.

Running from 31 October to 14 November, the series of free public events will bring together local residents, students, artists, walkers, readers and railway users for conversations, guided walks and creative activities focused on the Chessington Branch Line.

The project forms part of Dr Dines' role as the first artist in residence for the line, an initiative developed by The Community Brain to explore how transport infrastructure can also function as cultural infrastructure.

Dr Dines said the project grew from a shared interest in challenging assumptions about suburban railways and the communities they serve. "Suburban areas are often relatively well served by transport infrastructure but less well served by cultural infrastructure," he said. "We're interested in how railways and stations can become places of community, creativity and connection, rather than simply spaces people pass through on their way somewhere else," he said.

Although the Chessington branch line consists of just four stations and a journey from end to end takes little more than 10 minutes, Dr Dines believes it offers a fascinating lens through which to explore the borough's natural and cultural heritage. The route crosses the Hogsmill River, one of only around 200 chalk streams in the world while also passing close to Tolworth Court Farm Fields, Kingston's largest nature reserve before reaching the edge of London's Green Belt near Chessington South.

The events programme includes a series of Branch Line Conversations held while travelling on the railway itself, alongside guided walks exploring locations linked to the Hogsmill River and Tolworth Court Farm Fields. There will also be an exploration of the so-called ghost line beyond Chessington South, where plans for an extension towards Leatherhead were halted by the Second World War and later, Green Belt protections.

Participants will be invited to read together, share stories, discuss their experiences of local landscapes and contribute ideas that will help shape the next stage of the project.

Rather than presenting a traditional artist-led interpretation, Dr Dines said Root and Branch Line is designed as a collaborative exploration. "I'm interested in bringing together different kinds of knowledge," he said. "Some people may know these places intimately, while others are discovering them for the first time. Through conversations, walks and shared reading, we can uncover stories and perspectives that might otherwise remain hidden."

Insights gathered during the events will contribute to a community podcast featuring conversations recorded on and around the line, as well as a new illustrated map created by acclaimed artist Helen Cann. Both works will eventually be displayed at Tolworth station.

For Dr Dines, whose academic work has long focused on suburbs and edge-of-city landscapes, the project also offers an opportunity to celebrate places that are often overlooked. "Suburban spaces are constantly changing and are full of stories," he said. "They're places where different environments, histories and communities meet. Root and Branch Line is an invitation to take a second look at where we live and discover something unexpected."

• Book your place on a Root and Branch event.
• Find out more about Kington School of Art.