When a station is “invisible” to the public – due to its tucked away location, poor signage or inadequate promotion – bad things happen. Passenger numbers are held back, rail users can feel isolated and unsafe, and the station’s potential is squandered. To crack this conundrum, Citizens’ Rail has been working with local communities on solutions at four stations in the UK, France and Germany.
Author: admin
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Problemlösungen für unsichtbare Bahnhöfe
Wenn ein Bahnhof für die Öffentlichkeit “unsichtbar” ist – aufgrund seiner versteckten Lage, einer schlechten Beschilderung oder ungenügender Werbung – hat das negative Folgen. Die Zahl der Fahrgäste ist rückläufig, Bahnnutzer fühlen sich eventuell isoliert und nicht sicher und das Potential des Bahnhofs wird verschwendet.
Um dieses knifflige Problem in den Griff zu bekommen, hat Citizens’ Rail mit den Gemeinden vor Ort an Lösungen für vier Bahnhöfe im Vereinigten Königreich, Frankreich und Deutschland zusammengearbeitet.
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Les gares invisibles
Quand une gare est « invisible » aux yeux du public — en raison de son emplacement caché, d’un mauvais signalement ou d’une promotion insuffisante — des choses indésirables surviennent.
Le nombre de personnes utilisatrices stagne, les usagers du rail peuvent se sentir isolés et en situation d’insécurité, et le potentiel de l’arrêt n’est pas utilisé efficacement. Pour répondre à ce dilemme, Citizens’ Rail s’est mis en action avec des acteurs locaux concernant des solutions pour trois gares, en France, au Royaume-Uni et en Allemagne.
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Solving the problem of the Invisible Station
When a station is “invisible” to the public – due to its tucked away location, poor signage or inadequate promotion – bad things happen. Passenger numbers are held back, rail users can feel isolated and unsafe, and the station’s potential is squandered. To crack this conundrum, Citizens’ Rail has been working with local communities on solutions at four stations in the UK, France and Germany.
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Les gares invisibles
Quand une gare est « invisible » aux yeux du public — en raison de son emplacement caché, d’un mauvais signalement ou d’une promotion insuffisante — des choses indésirables surviennent.
Le nombre de personnes utilisatrices stagne, les usagers du rail peuvent se sentir isolés et en situation d’insécurité, et le potentiel de l’arrêt n’est pas utilisé efficacement. Pour répondre à ce dilemme, Citizens’ Rail s’est mis en action avec des acteurs locaux concernant des solutions pour trois gares, en France, au Royaume-Uni et en Allemagne.
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Dawlish: ein Blick zurück
Anfang dieses Jahres fegten schwere Stürme über den Bahnhof Dawlish in Devon, Großbritannien, hinweg und hinterließen eine zerstörte Bahnstrecke (siehe Fotos). Neben der Herkules-Arbeit der Bahnunternehmen Network Rail und First Great Western spielten aber auch Freiwillige vor Ort eine zentrale Rolle bei der Erneuerung ihres Bahnhofs.
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Während der Schließung der Strecke arbeitete Citizens’ Rail daran, die vormals ruhende Freiwilligengruppe Friends of Dawlish Station erneut zu motivieren. Arbeitstage wurden arrangiert und neue Mitglieder wurden durch einen Aufruf in der Lokalzeitung, platziert von der Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership (federführender Partner von Citizens’ Rail), gewonnen.
Die Freiwilligen arbeiten gemeinsam mit dem TV-Gartenexperten Toby Buckland, der in der Gegend wohnt, und führten eine grüne Umgestaltung des Bahnhofs durch. Die Gruppe pflanzte Cordylinen, Lavendel, Stiefmütterchen, Veilchen, Primeln und andere Arten in zehn neue Pflanzgefäße, die auf den Bahnsteigen aufgestellt wurden. Im Vorfeld der großen Wiedereröffnung der Strecke schmückten die Freiwilligen den Bahnhof auch mit Wimpelfahnen, um diesen Anlass gebührend zu feiern.
Dank ihres unermüdlichen Einsatzes machte die Gruppe Schlagzeilen auf den Titelblättern der Lokalpresse, wurde in den Nachrichten des Regionalfernsehens der BBC vorgestellt, von BBC Radio 4 interviewt und von Channel 5 gefilmt. Mitglieder der Gruppe erhielten ebenfalls eine Einladung in die Downing Street, wo Premierminister David Cameron ihnen seinen Dank aussprach.
Im August waren die Friends of Dawlish Station erneut im Blickpunkt, als der britische Verkehrsminister, Patrick McLoughlin MP (unten), ihnen persönlich für ihre Arbeit dankte. Der Verkehrsminister besuchte den Bahnhof mit den Bahnunternehmen First Great Western, Network Rail und der lokalen Parlamentsabgeordneten Anne Marie Morris, um die zukünftige Sicherung der Strecke zu erörtern und die Friends-Gruppe zu treffen und das Ergebnis ihrer Arbeit zu sehen.
Im Oktober wurden die Leistungen der Gruppe mit dem ersten Preis in der Kategorie Hervorragende Teamarbeit in den nationalen Community Rail Awards ausgezeichnet.
Mittlerweile trägt die Gruppe sich selbst und bewässert regelmäßig die Bepflanzung, die jetzt den Bahnhof erblühen lässt. So ist der erste Eindruck für Besucher der Stadt wie ein herzliches Willkommen.
Der Erfolg der Gruppe hat außerdem die Gründung einer neuen Gruppe namens Friends Of Teignmouth Station am nächsten Bahnhof der Strecke inspiriert.
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Dawlish : une année étonnante
Cette année, de violentes tempêtes se sont abattues sur la gare de Dawlish, dans le Devon, au Royaume-Uni, laissant la ligne dans un état déplorable (regardez les photos). Mais, à côté des énormes efforts de Network Rail et First Great Western, des bénévoles locaux ont joué un véritable rôle dans la relance de leur gare.
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Durant la fermeture de la ligne, Citizens’ Rail a œuvré pour raviver la flamme d’un groupe de volontaires bénévoles, les Amis de la gare de Dawlish, jusque-là au repos. Des journées d’action ont été mises en place et de nouveaux bénévoles ont rejoint le groupe, grâce à l’appel dans la presse locale effectué par le Partenariat du Rail Devon et Cornouailles (partenaire important de Citizens’ Rail).
Travaillant aux côtés de Toby Buckland, le jardinier de la télévision, qui vit sur place, les bénévoles ont embelli les lieux en y apportant une touche de verdure et des fleurs. Le groupe a planté des cordylines, des lavandes, des pensées, des violettes, des primevères et d’autres espèces dans 10 nouveaux bacs à fleurs installés sur les plateformes. Pour célébrer l’occasion, avant la réouverture de la ligne, les bénévoles ont également égayé l’endroit avec des banderoles de fête.
Grâce à son travail remarquable, le groupe a fait la une des journaux locaux, est passé aux actualités de la TV BBC régionale, a été interviewé par BBC Radio 4 et filmé par Channel 5. Les membres du groupe ont également été invités à Downing Street et ont été remerciés par le Premier ministre David Cameron.
En août, les Amis de la gare de Dawlish (Friends of Dawlish Station) furent encore une fois sous les projecteurs lorsqu’ils ont été remerciés personnellement pour leurs efforts par le député du Parlement Patrick McLoughlin, Secrétaire d’État au Transport (ci-dessous). Patrick McLoughlin a visité la gare avec First Great Western, Network Rail et la députée locale Anne Marie Morris pour évoquer la protection de la ligne dans le futur, rencontrer le groupe des Amis de la gare et admirer le travail effectué.
En octobre, les réalisations du groupe ont contribué à l’obtention d’un premier prix, dans la catégorie travail d’équipe exceptionnel, dans le cadre des Community Rail Awards, reconnaissance nationale de la communauté ferroviaire.
Le groupe est maintenant autonome et assure l’arrosage régulier des plantes qui égayent désormais la station. Les visiteurs ont ainsi une première impression accueillante en arrivant dans la petite ville.
Le succès du groupe de bénévoles de Dawlish a également engendré la création d’un nouveau groupe des Amis de la gare de Teignmouth, la station suivante sur la ligne.
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Lancashire school children prepare to visit Aachen
School pupils who welcomed Citizens’ Rail partners to Burnley during the summer are soon to make the return trip – embarking on an adventure to the German city of Aachen.
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The story so far
In July, the Year 5 class from Padiham Green CE Primary School greeted Citizens’ Rail partners from France, Germany and the Netherlands at Burnley Manchester Road station. They performed a play about the history of the area’s railway (complete with historical top hats and moustaches – see photos), followed by presentations about what they had learned about each of the partner regions. The children also created a wide range of railway-related artwork, which adorned the station’s new community room.The partners were hugely impressed and touched by the effort and imagination that the children had clearly invested in learning about the culture, economy, food and history of each local area. The pupils in turn were excited to meet representatives from each of the countries they had been studying – providing a chance to find out more, and to try out their language skills. Uwe Müller from Stadt Aachen said:
“The children’s work and enthusiasm was really outstanding! I was very impressed by what they had learned and presented about Aachen. I hope that one day we might be able to arrange for the children to visit our cities in person.”
The next chapter
Now Uwe’s invitation has become reality. Next month, the class of 30 pupils and 8 adults will be travelling to and staying in Aachen. They will spend one day in a German school, working alongside similar aged children, forging new links and friendships. Exploring Aachen will be high on the itinerary in order that the children can visit the many places of interest previously researched at school in Padiham. A visit to the Netherlands is also planned – travelling by train from Aachen to Heerlen. Teacher Janet Ennis said:“This exceptional transnational project is about expanding the learning horizons of the Year 5 pupils of Padiham Green CE Primary School, many of whom will be travelling abroad for the first time. The children are very proud to represent their school and also appreciate the task of becoming ambassadors for their town, county and country!”
To prepare for the trip, the children have been taking after school German lessons (see photos below), and their adventure has captured the interest of the town.
The Lancashire Telegraph newspaper recently paid a visit to the school to find out more, and Burnley Football Club invited the children to the stadium to collect a large selection of goodies. The class are now fully equipped with pencil cases and stationery, key rings, door plaques, back packs and beanie hats for the upcoming trip, and even have enough to present to their European school friends too.
The children have been busy raising funds through various events at school to contribute towards the visit. Additional funding for the trip is being provided by Citizens’ Rail, the DCRDF Fund, UK German Connection and Abellio.
[icon size=”14px” color=”#D42053″ background=”#ffffff” radius=”0px” type=”icon-chevron-sign-right” spacing=”0px” /] Follow the children’s preparations for their trip on their fantastic blog.
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Lancashire school children prepare to visit Aachen
School pupils who welcomed Citizens’ Rail partners to Burnley during the summer are soon to make the return trip – embarking on an adventure to the German city of Aachen.
[divider type=”default” vspace=”20px” hspace=”0%” /]
The story so far
In July, the Year 5 class from Padiham Green CE Primary School greeted Citizens’ Rail partners from France, Germany and the Netherlands at Burnley Manchester Road station. They performed a play about the history of the area’s railway (complete with historical top hats and moustaches – see photos), followed by presentations about what they had learned about each of the partner regions. The children also created a wide range of railway-related artwork, which adorned the station’s new community room.The partners were hugely impressed and touched by the effort and imagination that the children had clearly invested in learning about the culture, economy, food and history of each local area. The pupils in turn were excited to meet representatives from each of the countries they had been studying – providing a chance to find out more, and to try out their language skills. Uwe Müller from Stadt Aachen said:
“The children’s work and enthusiasm was really outstanding! I was very impressed by what they had learned and presented about Aachen. I hope that one day we might be able to arrange for the children to visit our cities in person.”
The next chapter
Now Uwe’s invitation has become reality. Next month, the class of 30 pupils and 8 adults will be travelling to and staying in Aachen. They will spend one day in a German school, working alongside similar aged children, forging new links and friendships. Exploring Aachen will be high on the itinerary in order that the children can visit the many places of interest previously researched at school in Padiham. A visit to the Netherlands is also planned – travelling by train from Aachen to Heerlen. Teacher Janet Ennis said:“This exceptional transnational project is about expanding the learning horizons of the Year 5 pupils of Padiham Green CE Primary School, many of whom will be travelling abroad for the first time. The children are very proud to represent their school and also appreciate the task of becoming ambassadors for their town, county and country!”
To prepare for the trip, the children have been taking after school German lessons (see photos below), and their adventure has captured the interest of the town.
The Lancashire Telegraph newspaper recently paid a visit to the school to find out more, and Burnley Football Club invited the children to the stadium to collect a large selection of goodies. The class are now fully equipped with pencil cases and stationery, key rings, door plaques, back packs and beanie hats for the upcoming trip, and even have enough to present to their European school friends too.
The children have been busy raising funds through various events at school to contribute towards the visit. Additional funding for the trip is being provided by Citizens’ Rail, the DCRDF Fund, UK German Connection and Abellio.
[icon size=”14px” color=”#D42053″ background=”#ffffff” radius=”0px” type=”icon-chevron-sign-right” spacing=”0px” /] Follow the children’s preparations for their trip on their fantastic blog.
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Lancashire school children prepare to visit Aachen
School pupils who welcomed Citizens’ Rail partners to Burnley during the summer are soon to make the return trip – embarking on an adventure to the German city of Aachen.
[divider type=”default” vspace=”20px” hspace=”0%” /]
The story so far
In July, the Year 5 class from Padiham Green CE Primary School greeted Citizens’ Rail partners from France, Germany and the Netherlands at Burnley Manchester Road station. They performed a play about the history of the area’s railway (complete with historical top hats and moustaches – see photos), followed by presentations about what they had learned about each of the partner regions. The children also created a wide range of railway-related artwork, which adorned the station’s new community room.The partners were hugely impressed and touched by the effort and imagination that the children had clearly invested in learning about the culture, economy, food and history of each local area. The pupils in turn were excited to meet representatives from each of the countries they had been studying – providing a chance to find out more, and to try out their language skills. Uwe Müller from Stadt Aachen said:
“The children’s work and enthusiasm was really outstanding! I was very impressed by what they had learned and presented about Aachen. I hope that one day we might be able to arrange for the children to visit our cities in person.”
The next chapter
Now Uwe’s invitation has become reality. Next month, the class of 30 pupils and 8 adults will be travelling to and staying in Aachen. They will spend one day in a German school, working alongside similar aged children, forging new links and friendships. Exploring Aachen will be high on the itinerary in order that the children can visit the many places of interest previously researched at school in Padiham. A visit to the Netherlands is also planned – travelling by train from Aachen to Heerlen. Teacher Janet Ennis said:“This exceptional transnational project is about expanding the learning horizons of the Year 5 pupils of Padiham Green CE Primary School, many of whom will be travelling abroad for the first time. The children are very proud to represent their school and also appreciate the task of becoming ambassadors for their town, county and country!”
To prepare for the trip, the children have been taking after school German lessons (see photos below), and their adventure has captured the interest of the town.
The Lancashire Telegraph newspaper recently paid a visit to the school to find out more, and Burnley Football Club invited the children to the stadium to collect a large selection of goodies. The class are now fully equipped with pencil cases and stationery, key rings, door plaques, back packs and beanie hats for the upcoming trip, and even have enough to present to their European school friends too.
The children have been busy raising funds through various events at school to contribute towards the visit. Additional funding for the trip is being provided by Citizens’ Rail, the DCRDF Fund, UK German Connection and Abellio.
[icon size=”14px” color=”#D42053″ background=”#ffffff” radius=”0px” type=”icon-chevron-sign-right” spacing=”0px” /] Follow the children’s preparations for their trip on their fantastic blog.