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New report shows the value of involving people in rail

A UK report published today shows that involving people in their railways leads to more passengers, improved stations and stronger communities.

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The report – which highlights Citizens’ Rail and the contribution of the EU Interreg IVB programme – shows that local routes with Community Rail Partnerships (CRPs) are seeing a higher growth in passengers than other local routes, while volunteer station adopters are making a real difference by transforming local stations into a pleasing environment.

The main findings are:

• 2.8% additional growth on community railways compared to regional lines.
• CRPs add value and ‘pay for themselves’.
• 3,200 community rail volunteers give 250,000 hours of their time worth an additional £3.4m p.a. to the rail industry
• Station adoption leads to improved station environments and stronger communities.

One of the report’s “key lessons” is the value of working in partnership, with Citizens’ Rail and the EU Interreg IVB programme highlighted as a good example. The project’s work at Burnley Manchester Road is applauded in the report as a “remarkable pulling together of different agencies and partnership investment strategies which will help revitalise Burnley”. Richard Watts of Citizens’ Rail partner Lancashire County Council is quoted in the report:

“Partnership working has been key to delivering the new station at Burnley Manchester Road. Working with both the East Lancashire Community Rail Partnership and the Citizens’ Rail Interreg IVB project has added value to the project and the transnational exchange of ideas has enhanced the design of the new station and increased its visibility to the citizens of Burnley.”

The research was commissioned by the UK’s National Community Rail Development Steering Group. This partnership comprises central and local government, infrastructure owner Network Rail, the commercial sector Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) and the voluntary sector Association for Community Rail Partnerships (ACoRP).

Read the executive summary or the full report:

Executive summary:

Full report:

As well as promoting local railways and encouraging more people to travel by train, CRPs add economic, social and environmental value to their lines, by bringing together local people and the rail industry to develop solutions. Their collective initiatives provide access to jobs, schools, shops, tourism attractions and other services, contributing to sustainable communities.

CRPs were first developed in the 1990s and the National Community Rail Strategy was launched in 2004. This report shows that the Department for Transport, train companies, Network Rail, ACoRP, CRPs and station adopters contribute to a continuing renaissance in regional rail travel, with local routes and the stations along them thriving – in some cases surpassing previous record levels of patronage.

The Citizens’ Rail project represents an expansion and next step for this success story – involving French, German and Dutch partners to learn from and build upon the UK’s track record of involving people in local and regional railways.

Commenting on the report Baroness Kramer Minister of State for Transport said:

“Community Rail Partnerships have a vital role to play in building a stronger economy and a fairer society, as demonstrated powerfully by this research. By encouraging more people to travel by train, they bring real economic, social and environmental benefits to their areas, and support the record investment we are making in the rail network. I hope this inspires more people to set up partnerships and develop their own community railways.”

2015/01/28
New report shows the value of involving people in rail

A UK report published today shows that involving people in their railways leads to more passengers, improved stations and stronger communities.

[divider type=”default” vspace=”20px” hspace=”0%” /]

The report – which highlights Citizens’ Rail and the contribution of the EU Interreg IVB programme – shows that local routes with Community Rail Partnerships (CRPs) are seeing a higher growth in passengers than other local routes, while volunteer station adopters are making a real difference by transforming local stations into a pleasing environment.

The main findings are:

• 2.8% additional growth on community railways compared to regional lines.
• CRPs add value and ‘pay for themselves’.
• 3,200 community rail volunteers give 250,000 hours of their time worth an additional £3.4m p.a. to the rail industry
• Station adoption leads to improved station environments and stronger communities.

One of the report’s “key lessons” is the value of working in partnership, with Citizens’ Rail and the EU Interreg IVB programme highlighted as a good example. The project’s work at Burnley Manchester Road is applauded in the report as a “remarkable pulling together of different agencies and partnership investment strategies which will help revitalise Burnley”. Richard Watts of Citizens’ Rail partner Lancashire County Council is quoted in the report:

“Partnership working has been key to delivering the new station at Burnley Manchester Road. Working with both the East Lancashire Community Rail Partnership and the Citizens’ Rail Interreg IVB project has added value to the project and the transnational exchange of ideas has enhanced the design of the new station and increased its visibility to the citizens of Burnley.”

The research was commissioned by the UK’s National Community Rail Development Steering Group. This partnership comprises central and local government, infrastructure owner Network Rail, the commercial sector Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) and the voluntary sector Association for Community Rail Partnerships (ACoRP).

Read the executive summary or the full report:

Executive summary:

Full report:

As well as promoting local railways and encouraging more people to travel by train, CRPs add economic, social and environmental value to their lines, by bringing together local people and the rail industry to develop solutions. Their collective initiatives provide access to jobs, schools, shops, tourism attractions and other services, contributing to sustainable communities.

CRPs were first developed in the 1990s and the National Community Rail Strategy was launched in 2004. This report shows that the Department for Transport, train companies, Network Rail, ACoRP, CRPs and station adopters contribute to a continuing renaissance in regional rail travel, with local routes and the stations along them thriving – in some cases surpassing previous record levels of patronage.

The Citizens’ Rail project represents an expansion and next step for this success story – involving French, German and Dutch partners to learn from and build upon the UK’s track record of involving people in local and regional railways.

Commenting on the report Baroness Kramer Minister of State for Transport said:

“Community Rail Partnerships have a vital role to play in building a stronger economy and a fairer society, as demonstrated powerfully by this research. By encouraging more people to travel by train, they bring real economic, social and environmental benefits to their areas, and support the record investment we are making in the rail network. I hope this inspires more people to set up partnerships and develop their own community railways.”

2015/01/28
“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
“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
“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.

[divider type=”default” vspace=”20px” hspace=”0%” /]

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
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.

[divider type=”default” vspace=”20px” hspace=”0%” /]

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
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.

[divider type=”default” vspace=”20px” hspace=”0%” /]

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
School poster to celebrate international trip

Following on from their recent visit to Aachen and Heerlen, children from Padiham Green Primary School in Lancashire have produced a spectacular poster, proudly displayed in the main school corridor.

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Each child is pictured wearing their Aachen “hoody” and they have written in speech bubbles about their favourite part of the trip. The children have also sent Christmas cards to their new friends from the Domsingschule, Aachen’s cathedral school at which the Padiham pupils spent a fantastic day of learning, singing, making friends and playing international football! The cards featured the children’s own drawings of the cathedral. The German children, much to the delight of the Padiham class, have today replied with their own greetings.

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2014/12/18
National workshop learns about Citizens’ Rail rural station buildings project

Our work to find new uses for disused station buildings was discussed at a national workshop held in France last week.

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The “Station facilities on regional lines” workshop was hosted by Cerema (The centre for the study of risks, environment, mobility and planning). It was attended by representatives from France’s regions, cities and rail sector.

Our partner, Région Pays de la Loire, gave a presentation about the Citizens’ Rail project and the region’s work to revitalise disused station buildings in rural areas. This includes its work to revive buildings at stations such as Le Pallet, which now includes a creche – shown here before and after:

As part of the Citizens’ Rail project, the region has carried out an in depth study of seven station buildings (see map below). The work has included a technical assessment of each building, community engagement with local residents, businesses and organisations to brainstorm new uses for the buildings, and finally a detailed analysis of likely costs, timescales and benefits of implementation of the schemes.

View larger map

The process has led to innovative ideas for station buildings including as a community grocery and a speech therapist’s clinic. These types of projects can improve stations in several ways, including:

> Providing a human presence at stations, helping passengers feel safe
> Safeguarding heritage and architecture by saving buildings from demolition
> Avoiding the potential crime and health and safety issues created by disused buildings

The region is now hoping to take forward two of the projects in 2015, while supporting the others to proceed the following year. Crucially, the results and lessons learned will also be shared with stakeholders including SNCF and RFF (France’s rail infrastructure operator), and internationally through the Citizens’ Rail project and its practitioner toolkit (to be launched in summer/autumn 2015). The Cerema workshop will be followed by three more in 2015, and will include the creation of a “good practice guide”, to help mayors and regions to develop their own projects at stations.

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2014/12/18