Category: Devon

“Friends of the Station” group launched at Exeter St Thomas

As part of Citizens’ Rail, a new community group has been launched to support the improvement of Exeter St Thomas station on The Riviera Line in Devon.

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20 people attended the group’s first meeting and drop-in session, held on 13th January and organised by the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership and train operator First Great Western. The Friends of Exeter St Thomas Station will help plan murals for the station platform walls and greenery on the platforms, as well as getting involved in planting and watering. The meeting was very productive – with excellent feedback from attendees:

Inspiring community ideas at last night's launch of Friends of #EXEStThomas Station – next stop, a site visit @CitizensRail @DCRailPart

— Cllr Paul Bull (@CllrPaul4Cowick) January 14, 2015

The formation of the Friends group is being supported by the EU Citizens’ Rail project, led by the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership, which is working to develop the Riviera Line, between Exeter and Paignton, and get more people involved with their railway. The project has already helped to revive the Friends of Dawlish Station and set up a new Friends of Teignmouth Station group.

Celia Minoughan, Riviera Line project officer at the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership, said: “The impact that the volunteers have had at Dawlish station shows what can be achieved. We are looking forward to getting ideas from local residents so we can make a real difference to passengers at Exeter St Thomas.”

First Great Western Station Manager Melanie Harvey “We are committed to supporting the communities we serve. This project is aiming to get the railway, volunteers and local businesses to work together to improve the station environment for all.”

The formation of the new group coincides with other improvements taking place at the station as part of Citizens’ Rail – including attractive new shelters.

To find out more or get involved, contact Citizens’ Rail’s Riviera Line Officer, Celia Minoughan, on 01752 584777 or at celia@citizensrail.org.

2015/01/15
Photos from the Santa Special

This weekend, Citizens’ Rail lent a helping hand to First Great Western’s charity fundraising Santa Special train from Newton Abbot station in Devon.

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The trip was made extra special as it was on the rarely used former ‘Teign Valley’ Heathfield line. First Great Western worked with Network Rail, the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership (Citizens’ Rail’s lead partner) and the Dame Hannah Rogers Trust to put on this very special event. All proceeds from ticket sales was donated to the Dame Hannah Rogers Trust.

Citizens’ Rail’s Riviera Line Officer helped to recruit volunteers to help at the event. The Friends of Dawlish and Teignmouth Stations and rail user groups joined First Great Western to give away free mince pies and talk to passengers about great value days out by train.

Enjoy some photos from the day…

2014/12/23
Anniversary of improved Torbay train service

The first anniversary of improved train services between Newton Abbot and Torbay, made possible by the Citizens’ Rail project, was marked by the cutting of a special birthday cake at Paignton station today.

Since the improved service began, there have been 20% more trains between Paignton, Torquay, Torre and Newton Abbot on weekdays, meaning that there are at least two trains an hour each way throughout most of the day.

The service improvements are part of the Citizens’ Rail project, 50% funded by the EU Interreg IVB programme and whose local partners are Torbay Council, Devon County Council, First Great Western, Plymouth University and the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership.

Leading the project is the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership. Manager Richard Burningham said “The first anniversary of the improved train services is a key landmark in our project which aims to significantly boost Torbay and South Devon’s railway.”

The project, which began two years ago, is working to develop the Riviera Line, between Paignton, Newton Abbot and Exeter, in a variety of different ways, including train service improvements, station improvements, particularly at Torre and Exeter St Thomas stations, a big marketing campaign and work to greatly increase community involvement.

The cake-cutting was filmed by the BBC’s regional TV news programme, Spotlight. Interviewees included First Great Western’s Ian Mundy (immediately below), and Richard Burningham of the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership (two photos down).

As part of the celebration, Ian Mundy and Torbay Council’s David Whiteway took the opportunity to share the anniversary cake with passengers. Our thanks to the local culinary wizards at Simply Sue-Perb Cakes for providing such a realistic and delicious cake.

More information about the Citizens’ Rail project, including how to get involved, can be obtained from Riviera Line Project Officer Celia Minoughan at the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership on 01752 584777 or at celia@citizensrail.org.

Information about Riviera Line train times and fares can be found on the award-winning Riviera Line website, created as part of Citizens’ Rail.

2014/12/09
Walks booklet launched

As part of the Citizens’ Rail project, a new booklet has been developed to encourage more people to enjoy walks from stations on The Riviera Line (Exeter to Paignton).

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The free booklet has been produced by the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership and brings together a selection of six self-guided walks. Included are walks from Starcross, Dawlish Warren, Dawlish and Teignmouth stations. It is part of the promotional campaign being run for the line by the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership as part of the EU Interreg IVB Citizens’ Rail project. See a PDF copy of the leaflet (3MB):

Celia Minoughan, the Partnership’s Riviera Line Project Officer said:

“The booklet is a great companion for people who like exploring South Devon. There are some fabulous walks to explore along the Riviera Line, and this is just a taster of what is out there.”

At Dawlish station this week Celia was joined by walkers from the Dawlish Walk This Way group at the start of their weekly Wednesday walk. Nigel Rhys, a walk leader from Walk This Way, said:

“We welcome the Walks from the Riviera Line booklet. Every week we lead up to 40 people on walks from Dawlish Station, including the Dawlish Town Trail featured in the booklet. A few of our group regularly come from Starcross by train to join us at Dawlish Station.”

30,000 copies of the “Walks from the Riviera Line” booklet have been printed and can be found at stations throughout the First Great Western network as well as local tourist information centres. Copies can also be obtained by emailing railpart@plymouth.ac.uk.

Local partners in “Citizens’ Rail” – which is 50% funded by the EU’s Interreg IVB programme – include Devon County Council, Torbay Council, First Great Western, Plymouth University and the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership. For more information about ‘Walks from the Riviera Line’ and the Citizens’ Rail project, including how to get involved, contact Celia Minoughan at the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership on 01752 584777 or at celia@citizensrail.org.

[button size=”large” color=”#ffffff” background=”#d42053″ radius=”0px” type=”flat” link=”http://therivieraline.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Walks-from-Riviera-Line_2_web.pdf” newwindow=”false” icon=”” ]Read the leaflet as a PDF (3MB)[/button]

2014/12/05
The Riviera Line website wins another award

After being recognised last month at the UK Community Rail Awards, a website developed as part of the Citizens’ Rail project has received further praise – this time winning at the UK Rail Exec Most Interesting Awards.

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The Riviera Line website won in the Most Interesting Community Engagement Project category at the awards, held in Leicester on 29th November 2014. The award was presented by Neil Buxton, General Manager of the Association of Community Rail Partnerships to Mike Parker-Bray, Citizens’ Rail Communications Officer at the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership.

The story of the website
After winter’s infamous storms, the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership (DCRP) wanted to harness the local feel-good factor around the re-opening of the line through Dawlish.

A marketing campaign was developed to win back lost passengers and to attract non-users to try the train between Exeter and Paignton. Its centrepiece was TheRivieraLine.com – a new type of community rail website, providing concise travel advice delivered in a visual, modern style.

The website – launched in the first week of April 2014 to coincide with the line’s re-opening – was created as part of the EU Citizens’ Rail project, of which DCRP is the lead partner.

Five innovative features:

Resizing to suit all devices
The site is believed to be community rail’s first “responsive” website. This means its content resizes to provide a comfortable reading experience on PCs, tablets and smartphones (see screenshots provided). This is not only better for the user, but it also minimises costs for the Community Rail Partnership – who might otherwise have to fund and manage an app or separate mobile version of the website. It also future-proofs the website: with the numbers of people viewing websites on mobile devices widely predicted to grow and grow. Since its launch, one in three visits to TheRivieraLine.com has come from smartphones or tablets.

Tailored for non-users
The website breaks down barriers to travel by explaining the essentials in an approachable, easy-to-digest way. This ranges from how to buy tickets when travelling from unstaffed stations, to whether you can take your dog on board, to whether there are toilets on the train. The site addresses these frequently asked questions in a concise, friendly way to help non-users to try the train. This is a departure from the stuffy tone and long-winded content of some public transport websites.

Gathering insights to inform future marketing
Every link on the website is tracked, so that over time a rich picture will develop of which types of discounted tickets are most popular and which destinations are clicked most frequently. In this way the website will become a valuable source of insights to inform future marketing: both online and offline.

Professional, people-focused photography
The site uses professional photography to put people at the heart of the story. This addresses what is arguably a common weakness of public transport websites.

Bringing together little-known tools
There are many handy rail travel tools available online, including season ticket calculators, personalised timetable creators, live departure information, car parking season ticket calculators and more. However, they are often little-known and are tucked away on a range of different websites. TheRivieraLine.com showcases them (including providing direct links to the tools) to raise their profile and help users.

[button size=”large” color=”#ffffff” background=”#d42053″ radius=”0px” type=”flat” link=”http://therivieraline.com/” newwindow=”false” icon=”” ]Visit the website[/button]

2014/12/05
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.

2014/11/05
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.

2014/10/28
Joint meeting with UITP

Citizens’ Rail partners enjoyed a productive joint meeting with UITP’s Regional and Suburban Railways committee last week, held in the South West of England.

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UITP, also known as The International Association of Public Transport, champions sustainable urban mobility and is the only worldwide network to bring together all public transport stakeholders and all sustainable transport modes. It has 1,300 member companies from 92 countries. Its members include public transport authorities and operators, policy decision-makers, research institutes and the public transport supply and service industry.

The association’s Regional and Suburban Railways committee joined Citizens’ Rail partners for presentations, networking opportunities and rail trips over the course of two days, taking in locations including Plymouth, Calstock and Torquay. The joint meeting, hosted by the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership, was made possible thanks to Ian Ambrose at Network Rail, who is part of both the UITP committee and the Citizens’ Rail project.

Some photographs from the joint meeting:

The UITP contingent arrive on the scenic Tamar Valley Line for the first meeting in Calstock. This photo was taken from the balcony of the Calstock Arts Centre, our picturesque meeting venue (see further photo below):

At the Calstock Arts Centre, Paul Alzer from Parkstad Limburg presents some tulip bulbs to help brighten stations on The Riviera Line (Exeter-Paignton):

Mal McGreevy, chairman of the Regional and Suburban Railways committee and General Manager, Rail Services for Northern Ireland Railways, Translink (second from right), explores Calstock with Citizens’ Rail partners:

In Torquay, Kai Mohnen from Stadt Aachen presented the work happening in the German city as part of Citizens’ Rail:

Delegates each received an information pack / goodie bag:

2014/10/20
Citizens’ Rail projects win national awards

Three projects supported by Citizens’ Rail have been recognised at the UK’s Community Rail Awards.

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The award ceremony was held in Scarborough on Thursday 2nd October, and was organised by The Association of Community Rail Partnerships. Speakers included Baroness Kramer, Minister of State for Transport, and Paul Salveson, a leading light of the community rail sector in the UK.

Outstanding Teamwork

First prize in the Outstanding Teamwork category was awarded to partners involved in rebuilding Dawlish station after the devastating storm damage it sustained in February 2014. Pictured at the top of this article collecting the award are Citizens’ Rail Riviera Line Officer Celia Minoughan (second from left), Margaret Swift and Phil Bagshaw of the Friends of Dawlish Station (third from left and second from right), and First Great Western station manager Ian Mundy (third from right). The award was presented by Nick Donovan, Managing Director of First Transpennine Express (left) and Alex Hynes, Managing Director of Northern Rail (right).

[icon size=”14px” color=”#D42053″ background=”#ffffff” radius=”0px” type=”icon-chevron-sign-right” spacing=”0px” /] Read about Citizens’ Rail’s involvement in reviving the station.

Innovation in Community Rail

In the Innovation category, first prize went to The Riviera Line website developed as part of Citizens’ Rail to encourage more people to take the train between Torbay and Exeter. The site is believed to be community rail’s first “responsive” website – resizing to suit PCs, tablets and smartphones. Its content is tailor-made to help non-users to overcome barriers to travel.

[icon size=”14px” color=”#D42053″ background=”#ffffff” radius=”0px” type=”icon-chevron-sign-right” spacing=”0px” /] Visit the website.

Best Station Gardens and Large Floral Displays

To complete a hat trick of awards, third prize in the Best Station Gardens category was awarded to the transformation of Torquay Station garden by Robert Owen Communities and First Great Western. Working twice a week in all weathers, the station platforms have been transformed with planting on an English Riviera theme including reclamation of a large rockery. The project has not only improved the look and feel of Torquay station but has allowed the young people to gain confidence, social interaction and nationally recognised qualifications to help them into employment.

[icon size=”14px” color=”#D42053″ background=”#ffffff” radius=”0px” type=”icon-chevron-sign-right” spacing=”0px” /] Read about Citizens’ Rail’s involvement in the project.

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Congratulations to Community Rail Lancashire

Congratulations also go to Citizens’ Rail partners Community Rail Lancashire, whose “Young persons’ passport to safe travel” project won the Involving Young People category. Our colleagues in Lancashire have an excellent track record in engaging children and young people in their railway.

Children from one of the schools they work with gave an outstanding presentation to EU partners at Burnley Manchester Road’s new station building in July. And soon as part of Citizens’ Rail, the same children will be taking a train journey to Aachen, our German partner city, in a fantastic example of transnational learning and collaboration. More news on this soon.

[icon size=”14px” color=”#D42053″ background=”#ffffff” radius=”0px” type=”icon-chevron-sign-right” spacing=”0px” /] Read about the passport to safe travel scheme.

2014/10/07
German academic enjoys trip to research UK community rail

One of the German members of Citizens’ Rail’s academic team enjoyed an action-packed visit last week to research the UK’s community rail sector.

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Fresh from his presentation to the International Geographers’ Union in Krakow, Dominik Elsmann from RWTH Aachen University (pictured left above, with Richard Burningham of the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership) visited the UK to interview a range of experienced figures from the country’s long-standing community rail sector.

The research will help to inform his PhD on “Regional railway governance”, with a specific focus on participatory approaches. In this context he will compare two case study regions in Germany and Great Britain.

Also as part of the trip, Dominik joined the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership at their local conference – giving the opportunity to hear from speakers from the rail industry, local authorities and the community rail sector. The conference was preceded by a social evening for early attendees. This included a “music train” on the Tamar Valley line (pictured), enjoyed by delegates and local passengers alike.

As the final part of the visit, a productive planning meeting with the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership was held. This focused on the relationship and links between Citizens’ Rail’s academic evaluation, and the project’s practitioner toolkit – a free resource being developed to help rail professionals and others to get local communities more involved in their local and regional railways.

2014/09/08