Citizens' Rail

Blog

  • Could you be our Project Officer?

    Could you be our Project Officer?

    We’re recruiting a Project Officer to develop the Riviera Line (Exeter to Paignton) as part of Citizens’ Rail. The role will involve marketing, promotional activities, encouraging volunteers, community involvement and establishing a new community forum for the line.

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

    Read on for the full advertisement, job description and how to apply. We look forward to hearing from you.

    —–

    Job title: Project Officer – Citizens’ Rail
    Job reference: A3554
    Application closing date: 01/12/2013
    Location: Plymouth
    Salary: £23352 to £27047 pa-Grade 5
    Contract type: Full-time, Fixed-term

    The award-winning Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership is based in the University’s School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Science. It is a non-profit partnership between local councils, Plymouth University and the rail industry which has been working to promote travel on rural railways in the two counties since 1991.

    The Partnership, together with partners in Lancashire, France, Germany and the Netherlands, has been successful in achieving INTERREG IVB funding for the “Citizens’ Rail” project.

    As well as looking to develop and improve rail services and facilities, the Citizens’ Rail partners will be working together to better engage communities with their local railway, including the planning of new and improved facilities, and breathing new life into rundown or disused stations.

    We believe this to be the first project to focus on “slow” rail, rather than high speed rail. It will run until September 2015.

    You will be the Project Officer responsible for delivering the large local element of the project which looks to develop the Exeter – Paignton line through a series of actions including marketing, promotional and public relations activities, encouraging volunteers, community involvement and establishing a new community forum for the line. You would also organise benchmarking and survey work.

    You will work closely with the partners to draw up and then, once agreed, implement the action plan for the Paignton line to deliver the outcomes envisaged in the project application form. Your work will complement the activities of local partners, including First Great Western, Network Rail, Torbay Council and Devon County Council and you will work closely with them on this project.

    This post will involve a number of visits (including to European partners) which will mean stays of several days’ duration. The post will also involve some weekend and evening work as required.

    Contact for informal discussion: Richard Burningham, Manager, Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership. rburningham@plymouth.ac.uk 01752 584777

    This is a full-time position working 37 hours per week on a fixed-term basis until September 2015.

    Interviews are likely be held on Monday 16 December 2013

    Plymouth University is committed to an inclusive culture and respecting diversity, and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

    The University holds a Bronze Athena SWAN Award which recognises commitment to advancing women’s career in STEMM academia.

    Read the job description (PDF)

    Apply on the Plymouth University website

  • Could you be our Project Officer?

    Could you be our Project Officer?

    We’re recruiting a Project Officer to develop the Riviera Line (Exeter to Paignton) as part of Citizens’ Rail. The role will involve marketing, promotional activities, encouraging volunteers, community involvement and establishing a new community forum for the line.

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

    Read on for the full advertisement, job description and how to apply. We look forward to hearing from you.

    —–

    Job title: Project Officer – Citizens’ Rail
    Job reference: A3554
    Application closing date: 01/12/2013
    Location: Plymouth
    Salary: £23352 to £27047 pa-Grade 5
    Contract type: Full-time, Fixed-term

    The award-winning Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership is based in the University’s School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Science. It is a non-profit partnership between local councils, Plymouth University and the rail industry which has been working to promote travel on rural railways in the two counties since 1991.

    The Partnership, together with partners in Lancashire, France, Germany and the Netherlands, has been successful in achieving INTERREG IVB funding for the “Citizens’ Rail” project.

    As well as looking to develop and improve rail services and facilities, the Citizens’ Rail partners will be working together to better engage communities with their local railway, including the planning of new and improved facilities, and breathing new life into rundown or disused stations.

    We believe this to be the first project to focus on “slow” rail, rather than high speed rail. It will run until September 2015.

    You will be the Project Officer responsible for delivering the large local element of the project which looks to develop the Exeter – Paignton line through a series of actions including marketing, promotional and public relations activities, encouraging volunteers, community involvement and establishing a new community forum for the line. You would also organise benchmarking and survey work.

    You will work closely with the partners to draw up and then, once agreed, implement the action plan for the Paignton line to deliver the outcomes envisaged in the project application form. Your work will complement the activities of local partners, including First Great Western, Network Rail, Torbay Council and Devon County Council and you will work closely with them on this project.

    This post will involve a number of visits (including to European partners) which will mean stays of several days’ duration. The post will also involve some weekend and evening work as required.

    Contact for informal discussion: Richard Burningham, Manager, Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership. rburningham@plymouth.ac.uk 01752 584777

    This is a full-time position working 37 hours per week on a fixed-term basis until September 2015.

    Interviews are likely be held on Monday 16 December 2013

    Plymouth University is committed to an inclusive culture and respecting diversity, and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

    The University holds a Bronze Athena SWAN Award which recognises commitment to advancing women’s career in STEMM academia.

    Read the job description (PDF)

    Apply on the Plymouth University website

  • Could you be our Project Officer?

    Could you be our Project Officer?

    We’re recruiting a Project Officer to develop the Riviera Line (Exeter to Paignton) as part of Citizens’ Rail. The role will involve marketing, promotional activities, encouraging volunteers, community involvement and establishing a new community forum for the line.

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

    Read on for the full advertisement, job description and how to apply. We look forward to hearing from you.

    —–

    Job title: Project Officer – Citizens’ Rail
    Job reference: A3554
    Application closing date: 01/12/2013
    Location: Plymouth
    Salary: £23352 to £27047 pa-Grade 5
    Contract type: Full-time, Fixed-term

    The award-winning Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership is based in the University’s School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Science. It is a non-profit partnership between local councils, Plymouth University and the rail industry which has been working to promote travel on rural railways in the two counties since 1991.

    The Partnership, together with partners in Lancashire, France, Germany and the Netherlands, has been successful in achieving INTERREG IVB funding for the “Citizens’ Rail” project.

    As well as looking to develop and improve rail services and facilities, the Citizens’ Rail partners will be working together to better engage communities with their local railway, including the planning of new and improved facilities, and breathing new life into rundown or disused stations.

    We believe this to be the first project to focus on “slow” rail, rather than high speed rail. It will run until September 2015.

    You will be the Project Officer responsible for delivering the large local element of the project which looks to develop the Exeter – Paignton line through a series of actions including marketing, promotional and public relations activities, encouraging volunteers, community involvement and establishing a new community forum for the line. You would also organise benchmarking and survey work.

    You will work closely with the partners to draw up and then, once agreed, implement the action plan for the Paignton line to deliver the outcomes envisaged in the project application form. Your work will complement the activities of local partners, including First Great Western, Network Rail, Torbay Council and Devon County Council and you will work closely with them on this project.

    This post will involve a number of visits (including to European partners) which will mean stays of several days’ duration. The post will also involve some weekend and evening work as required.

    Contact for informal discussion: Richard Burningham, Manager, Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership. rburningham@plymouth.ac.uk 01752 584777

    This is a full-time position working 37 hours per week on a fixed-term basis until September 2015.

    Interviews are likely be held on Monday 16 December 2013

    Plymouth University is committed to an inclusive culture and respecting diversity, and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

    The University holds a Bronze Athena SWAN Award which recognises commitment to advancing women’s career in STEMM academia.

    Read the job description (PDF)

    Apply on the Plymouth University website

  • Could you be our Project Officer?

    Could you be our Project Officer?

    We’re recruiting a Project Officer to develop the Riviera Line (Exeter to Paignton) as part of Citizens’ Rail. The role will involve marketing, promotional activities, encouraging volunteers, community involvement and establishing a new community forum for the line.

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

    Read on for the full advertisement, job description and how to apply. We look forward to hearing from you.

    —–

    Job title: Project Officer – Citizens’ Rail
    Job reference: A3554
    Application closing date: 01/12/2013
    Location: Plymouth
    Salary: £23352 to £27047 pa-Grade 5
    Contract type: Full-time, Fixed-term

    The award-winning Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership is based in the University’s School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Science. It is a non-profit partnership between local councils, Plymouth University and the rail industry which has been working to promote travel on rural railways in the two counties since 1991.

    The Partnership, together with partners in Lancashire, France, Germany and the Netherlands, has been successful in achieving INTERREG IVB funding for the “Citizens’ Rail” project.

    As well as looking to develop and improve rail services and facilities, the Citizens’ Rail partners will be working together to better engage communities with their local railway, including the planning of new and improved facilities, and breathing new life into rundown or disused stations.

    We believe this to be the first project to focus on “slow” rail, rather than high speed rail. It will run until September 2015.

    You will be the Project Officer responsible for delivering the large local element of the project which looks to develop the Exeter – Paignton line through a series of actions including marketing, promotional and public relations activities, encouraging volunteers, community involvement and establishing a new community forum for the line. You would also organise benchmarking and survey work.

    You will work closely with the partners to draw up and then, once agreed, implement the action plan for the Paignton line to deliver the outcomes envisaged in the project application form. Your work will complement the activities of local partners, including First Great Western, Network Rail, Torbay Council and Devon County Council and you will work closely with them on this project.

    This post will involve a number of visits (including to European partners) which will mean stays of several days’ duration. The post will also involve some weekend and evening work as required.

    Contact for informal discussion: Richard Burningham, Manager, Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership. rburningham@plymouth.ac.uk 01752 584777

    This is a full-time position working 37 hours per week on a fixed-term basis until September 2015.

    Interviews are likely be held on Monday 16 December 2013

    Plymouth University is committed to an inclusive culture and respecting diversity, and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

    The University holds a Bronze Athena SWAN Award which recognises commitment to advancing women’s career in STEMM academia.

    Read the job description (PDF)

    Apply on the Plymouth University website

  • Community ambassadors win EU Rail Congress award

    Community ambassadors win EU Rail Congress award

    Northern Rail’s Community Ambassadors, part of Citizens’ Rail’s Lancashire project, have triumphed over nine other European entries to win recognition for their Customer Service Excellence at this year’s European Rail Congress Awards.

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

    The scheme has flourished in the North West, introducing thousands of people in ‘hard to reach’ communities to the opportunities of travelling by rail.

    Alex Hynes, Managing Director at Northern Rail comments: “Our ambassadors have dedicated time and energy to offer a new lease of life to these communities and gradually overcome some of the obstacles of train travel. The numbers speak for themselves when we see a 14% rise in rail usage in these areas and it’s an incredibly proud moment to see them gain outstanding recognition for their commitment and value to Northern.”

    Richard Watts, Rail Development Team Manager at Lancashire County Council comments: “This is an excellent achievement for the Community Ambassadors. The Ambassadors are an important part of the European funded Citizens’ Rail Interreg IVB project and are showing how to it is possible to engage with hard to reach groups in East Lancashire and Greater Manchester and encourage them to try the train. By breaking down barriers it is possible to transform the lives of many people by helping them take up better paid employment or attend colleges to gain higher qualifications.”

    The awards were presented by Rory Bremner at the Westminster Park Plaza in London on Wednesday 13 November 2013.

    Caption: Julia Clayton and Simon Abbott from Northern Rail collect the Customer Service Excellence award at the European Rail Congress Awards.


  • Community ambassadors win EU Rail Congress award

    Community ambassadors win EU Rail Congress award

    Northern Rail’s Community Ambassadors, part of Citizens’ Rail’s Lancashire project, have triumphed over nine other European entries to win recognition for their Customer Service Excellence at this year’s European Rail Congress Awards.

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

    The scheme has flourished in the North West, introducing thousands of people in ‘hard to reach’ communities to the opportunities of travelling by rail.

    Alex Hynes, Managing Director at Northern Rail comments: “Our ambassadors have dedicated time and energy to offer a new lease of life to these communities and gradually overcome some of the obstacles of train travel. The numbers speak for themselves when we see a 14% rise in rail usage in these areas and it’s an incredibly proud moment to see them gain outstanding recognition for their commitment and value to Northern.”

    Richard Watts, Rail Development Team Manager at Lancashire County Council comments: “This is an excellent achievement for the Community Ambassadors. The Ambassadors are an important part of the European funded Citizens’ Rail Interreg IVB project and are showing how to it is possible to engage with hard to reach groups in East Lancashire and Greater Manchester and encourage them to try the train. By breaking down barriers it is possible to transform the lives of many people by helping them take up better paid employment or attend colleges to gain higher qualifications.”

    The awards were presented by Rory Bremner at the Westminster Park Plaza in London on Wednesday 13 November 2013.

    Caption: Julia Clayton and Simon Abbott from Northern Rail collect the Customer Service Excellence award at the European Rail Congress Awards.


  • Community ambassadors win EU Rail Congress award

    Community ambassadors win EU Rail Congress award

    Northern Rail’s Community Ambassadors, part of Citizens’ Rail’s Lancashire project, have triumphed over nine other European entries to win recognition for their Customer Service Excellence at this year’s European Rail Congress Awards.

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

    The scheme has flourished in the North West, introducing thousands of people in ‘hard to reach’ communities to the opportunities of travelling by rail.

    Alex Hynes, Managing Director at Northern Rail comments: “Our ambassadors have dedicated time and energy to offer a new lease of life to these communities and gradually overcome some of the obstacles of train travel. The numbers speak for themselves when we see a 14% rise in rail usage in these areas and it’s an incredibly proud moment to see them gain outstanding recognition for their commitment and value to Northern.”

    Richard Watts, Rail Development Team Manager at Lancashire County Council comments: “This is an excellent achievement for the Community Ambassadors. The Ambassadors are an important part of the European funded Citizens’ Rail Interreg IVB project and are showing how to it is possible to engage with hard to reach groups in East Lancashire and Greater Manchester and encourage them to try the train. By breaking down barriers it is possible to transform the lives of many people by helping them take up better paid employment or attend colleges to gain higher qualifications.”

    The awards were presented by Rory Bremner at the Westminster Park Plaza in London on Wednesday 13 November 2013.

    Caption: Julia Clayton and Simon Abbott from Northern Rail collect the Customer Service Excellence award at the European Rail Congress Awards.


  • Community ambassadors win EU Rail Congress award

    Community ambassadors win EU Rail Congress award

    Northern Rail’s Community Ambassadors, part of Citizens’ Rail’s Lancashire project, have triumphed over nine other European entries to win recognition for their Customer Service Excellence at this year’s European Rail Congress Awards.

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

    The scheme has flourished in the North West, introducing thousands of people in ‘hard to reach’ communities to the opportunities of travelling by rail.

    Alex Hynes, Managing Director at Northern Rail comments: “Our ambassadors have dedicated time and energy to offer a new lease of life to these communities and gradually overcome some of the obstacles of train travel. The numbers speak for themselves when we see a 14% rise in rail usage in these areas and it’s an incredibly proud moment to see them gain outstanding recognition for their commitment and value to Northern.”

    Richard Watts, Rail Development Team Manager at Lancashire County Council comments: “This is an excellent achievement for the Community Ambassadors. The Ambassadors are an important part of the European funded Citizens’ Rail Interreg IVB project and are showing how to it is possible to engage with hard to reach groups in East Lancashire and Greater Manchester and encourage them to try the train. By breaking down barriers it is possible to transform the lives of many people by helping them take up better paid employment or attend colleges to gain higher qualifications.”

    The awards were presented by Rory Bremner at the Westminster Park Plaza in London on Wednesday 13 November 2013.

    Caption: Julia Clayton and Simon Abbott from Northern Rail collect the Customer Service Excellence award at the European Rail Congress Awards.


  • More Torbay trains from 9th December

    More Torbay trains from 9th December

    Torbay and South Devon passengers are set to benefit from more frequent trains between Newton Abbot, Torre, Torquay and Paignton as part of Citizens’ Rail.

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

    Four extra services each way will run between Newton Abbot and Paignton (also calling at Torre and Torquay), and there will be a further two additional stopping services each way between Exeter St Davids and Paignton.

    Beginning on 9 December the new timetable means that there are at least two trains per hour throughout most of the day. The new services will provide more connections at Newton Abbot with main line trains to and from Exeter, Plymouth, Bristol and London.

    The improved service is thanks to Citizens’ Rail – the EU project to develop local and regional railways in the UK, France, Germany and the Netherlands. Along with the extra trains, the project will also see improvements made to stations on the Riviera Line between Paignton and Exeter, a major marketing campaign, work to involve the community in the line and a new officer employed at the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership to coordinate activities.

    Local partners in the project – 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 and Cornwall Rail Partnership.

    Cllr Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, said:
    “We know from local experience that having more frequent trains is key to attracting new passengers. We hope that, as patronage grows, services can develop to meet our aim of two trains an hour between Exeter and Paignton. Working in partnership in this way provides the best opportunity to achieve this.”

    Torbay Council’s Executive Lead for Highways, Transport and Environment, Cllr Ray Hill, said:
    “This is a major step forward for Torbay’s railway, the Riviera Line. We welcome the extra journeys made by the additional train, which complements the work already undertaken between Torbay Council and First Great Western, providing improvements to the appearance of the stations. Not only will they make local public transport journeys even more convenient, they will also mean easier and more reliable connections to main line services to travel up and down the country. This is vital in attracting rail passengers to come and visit Torbay.”

    First Great Western’s General Manager West David Crome said:
    “First Great Western is committed to supporting the communities we serve. Following the success of our community rail lines in Devon and Cornwall, we are delighted to partner in the Citizens’ Rail project.

    “The additional services will make using the train much more attractive during the week, and our fares are also good value when compared with the price of driving and parking.”

    Project Manager, Richard Burningham of the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership said:
    “By being part of this international project, we will be able to learn from rail expertise from across North West Europe. A big part of Citizens’ Rail is about getting people involved with their railway. Local residents and community organisations will be asked what improvements they would like to see and there will also be lots of opportunities too for volunteers to get involved, from lending their gardening skills to helping with redecorating.”



  • More Torbay trains from 9th December

    More Torbay trains from 9th December

    Torbay and South Devon passengers are set to benefit from more frequent trains between Newton Abbot, Torre, Torquay and Paignton as part of Citizens’ Rail.

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

    Four extra services each way will run between Newton Abbot and Paignton (also calling at Torre and Torquay), and there will be a further two additional stopping services each way between Exeter St Davids and Paignton.

    Beginning on 9 December the new timetable means that there are at least two trains per hour throughout most of the day. The new services will provide more connections at Newton Abbot with main line trains to and from Exeter, Plymouth, Bristol and London.

    The improved service is thanks to Citizens’ Rail – the EU project to develop local and regional railways in the UK, France, Germany and the Netherlands. Along with the extra trains, the project will also see improvements made to stations on the Riviera Line between Paignton and Exeter, a major marketing campaign, work to involve the community in the line and a new officer employed at the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership to coordinate activities.

    Local partners in the project – 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 and Cornwall Rail Partnership.

    Cllr Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, said:
    “We know from local experience that having more frequent trains is key to attracting new passengers. We hope that, as patronage grows, services can develop to meet our aim of two trains an hour between Exeter and Paignton. Working in partnership in this way provides the best opportunity to achieve this.”

    Torbay Council’s Executive Lead for Highways, Transport and Environment, Cllr Ray Hill, said:
    “This is a major step forward for Torbay’s railway, the Riviera Line. We welcome the extra journeys made by the additional train, which complements the work already undertaken between Torbay Council and First Great Western, providing improvements to the appearance of the stations. Not only will they make local public transport journeys even more convenient, they will also mean easier and more reliable connections to main line services to travel up and down the country. This is vital in attracting rail passengers to come and visit Torbay.”

    First Great Western’s General Manager West David Crome said:
    “First Great Western is committed to supporting the communities we serve. Following the success of our community rail lines in Devon and Cornwall, we are delighted to partner in the Citizens’ Rail project.

    “The additional services will make using the train much more attractive during the week, and our fares are also good value when compared with the price of driving and parking.”

    Project Manager, Richard Burningham of the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership said:
    “By being part of this international project, we will be able to learn from rail expertise from across North West Europe. A big part of Citizens’ Rail is about getting people involved with their railway. Local residents and community organisations will be asked what improvements they would like to see and there will also be lots of opportunities too for volunteers to get involved, from lending their gardening skills to helping with redecorating.”