Citizens' Rail

Blog

  • Burnley gets direct trains to Manchester

    Burnley gets direct trains to Manchester

    Complementing Burnley Manchester Road’s new station building, funded by Citizens’ Rail, the town now has a direct rail service to Manchester for the first time in four decades.

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

    Following a multi-million pound investment and almost a decade of partnership work between Burnley Council, Network Rail, Lancashire County Council and Northern Rail, on Sunday 17th May 2015 the direct Blackburn to Manchester via Burnley service returned to the region.

    Northern, a Serco and Abellio joint venture operated the historic first train, over 40 years after the closure of the Todmorden Curve in 1972, following the completion and opening of the line by Network Rail. This morning there was a community celebration at Burnley Manchester Road and Accrington stations to herald a new chapter in rail travel and the start of a range of benefits for the two communities.

    Commuters were welcomed with tea, coffee, muffins and a ‘goodie bag’ at Burnley Manchester Road and Accrington stations, handed out by teams from Northern, Burnley Council, the East Lancashire Community Rail Partnership and Lancashire County Council.

    The scheme was part-funded from the government’s Regional Growth Fund. Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said:

    “This government is committed to transforming rail services across the North of England as part of our ambitious plans to build a Northern Powerhouse. Todmorden Curve is an example of the significant investment being made in the region’s rail network, in order to provide more seats, more services and better journeys for passengers. It will make a real difference by opening up better access to job opportunities, helping to secure economic growth.”

    Alex Hynes, Managing Director of Northern Rail, comments:

    “We would be delighted to welcome our local community to our stations to help us and our partners celebrate this milestone in railway history. We’re committed to bringing better services, improved stations and a wealth of local opportunities to the region and this new service is a positive step in the right direction for all concerned.”

    County Councillor John Fillis, Lancashire County Council cabinet member for highways and transport, said:

    “It is a fantastic achievement by everyone involved to re-establish the direct service from Burnley to Manchester which will extend opportunities for local people and have a real impact on the economy. It shows what can be achieved when partner organisations are clear about their priorities and work closely together to deliver them. The working relationships established will be instrumental in the ongoing transformation of rail services in East Lancashire. I look forward to the service being a great success, paving the way for better trains and faster journey times in the future.”

    Councillor Mark Townsend, Leader of Burnley Council, said:

    “We’re delighted to have a direct service to Manchester from Burnley once again. It will bring clear benefits to our economy in terms of access to the job market and establishing Burnley as a commuter town. Our outstanding countryside is even easier to reach for visitors. It’s a real milestone in our continuing success story and one we wish to celebrate.”

    Terry Strickland, area director for Network Rail, said:

    “The reopened Todmorden Curve is a significant improvement to the railway in this part of the country and will allow services to run directly between Manchester Victoria and Burnley Manchester Road for the first time since the 1960s. We have worked closely with Burnley Council, Lancashire County Council and Northern Rail to make this happen and it is an excellent example of partnership working to help deliver a better railway for passengers.”

    Get train times and tickets on Northern Rail’s Burnley-Manchester mini-website.

  • Burnley gets direct trains to Manchester

    Burnley gets direct trains to Manchester

    Complementing Burnley Manchester Road’s new station building, funded by Citizens’ Rail, the town now has a direct rail service to Manchester for the first time in four decades.

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

    Following a multi-million pound investment and almost a decade of partnership work between Burnley Council, Network Rail, Lancashire County Council and Northern Rail, on Sunday 17th May 2015 the direct Blackburn to Manchester via Burnley service returned to the region.

    Northern, a Serco and Abellio joint venture operated the historic first train, over 40 years after the closure of the Todmorden Curve in 1972, following the completion and opening of the line by Network Rail. This morning there was a community celebration at Burnley Manchester Road and Accrington stations to herald a new chapter in rail travel and the start of a range of benefits for the two communities.

    Commuters were welcomed with tea, coffee, muffins and a ‘goodie bag’ at Burnley Manchester Road and Accrington stations, handed out by teams from Northern, Burnley Council, the East Lancashire Community Rail Partnership and Lancashire County Council.

    The scheme was part-funded from the government’s Regional Growth Fund. Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said:

    “This government is committed to transforming rail services across the North of England as part of our ambitious plans to build a Northern Powerhouse. Todmorden Curve is an example of the significant investment being made in the region’s rail network, in order to provide more seats, more services and better journeys for passengers. It will make a real difference by opening up better access to job opportunities, helping to secure economic growth.”

    Alex Hynes, Managing Director of Northern Rail, comments:

    “We would be delighted to welcome our local community to our stations to help us and our partners celebrate this milestone in railway history. We’re committed to bringing better services, improved stations and a wealth of local opportunities to the region and this new service is a positive step in the right direction for all concerned.”

    County Councillor John Fillis, Lancashire County Council cabinet member for highways and transport, said:

    “It is a fantastic achievement by everyone involved to re-establish the direct service from Burnley to Manchester which will extend opportunities for local people and have a real impact on the economy. It shows what can be achieved when partner organisations are clear about their priorities and work closely together to deliver them. The working relationships established will be instrumental in the ongoing transformation of rail services in East Lancashire. I look forward to the service being a great success, paving the way for better trains and faster journey times in the future.”

    Councillor Mark Townsend, Leader of Burnley Council, said:

    “We’re delighted to have a direct service to Manchester from Burnley once again. It will bring clear benefits to our economy in terms of access to the job market and establishing Burnley as a commuter town. Our outstanding countryside is even easier to reach for visitors. It’s a real milestone in our continuing success story and one we wish to celebrate.”

    Terry Strickland, area director for Network Rail, said:

    “The reopened Todmorden Curve is a significant improvement to the railway in this part of the country and will allow services to run directly between Manchester Victoria and Burnley Manchester Road for the first time since the 1960s. We have worked closely with Burnley Council, Lancashire County Council and Northern Rail to make this happen and it is an excellent example of partnership working to help deliver a better railway for passengers.”

    Get train times and tickets on Northern Rail’s Burnley-Manchester mini-website.

  • Transnational poster by German and British schools

    Transnational poster by German and British schools

    An eye-catching poster has been designed to celebrate the Citizens’ Rail school trip from Lancashire, UK, to Aachen in Germany and Heerlen in the Netherlands.

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

    Every child from Padiham Green CE Primary School (pictured above) and Aachener Domsingschule (pictured below) who took part in the trip contributed to the artwork during their joint classroom session in Aachen. The poster takes the form of a finger labyrinth, and is entitled The Distance Between. Using your finger, you can trace your journey from Padiham in the centre of the labyrinth to either Aachen or Heerlen on the outside.

    The poster was coordinated by artist Alastair Nicholson, who travelled with the Lancashire party and has contributed to many railway-related art projects with our partners Community Rail Lancashire.

    During their four-day stay in November 2014, the Padiham Green pupils received an official welcome at Aachen City Hall, singing lessons with their new Aachen school friends, scaled viewpoints where they could see three countries at once, and even visited the zoo. The trip was the children’s well-earned reward for delivering a fantastic presentation and warm welcome to Citizens’ Rail’s European partners during their meeting in Lancashire in July 2014.

    The children raised funds through various events at school to contribute towards the visit. Additional funding for the trip was provided by Citizens’ Rail, the DCRDF Fund, UK German Connection and Abellio.

    Children from the Domsingschule pose with their poster:

     

  • Access improved at Exeter St Thomas station

    Access improved at Exeter St Thomas station

    Complementing the new shelters recently installed at Exeter St Thomas station as part of Citizens’ Rail, the station has now also been fitted with a “Harrington Hump” (pictured above) to improve the station’s accessibility.

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

    The hump, provided by Network Rail as part of a major roll-out separate from the Citizens’ Rail project, is a simple and cost effective way to reduce the height difference between the platform and the train. Previously, passengers had to take a big step up or down to board or alight the train – causing particular difficulties for people with reduced mobility and families with buggies.

    Also known as an “Easy access area”, the nickname for the technology derives from Harrington station in Cumbria, the first place where the hump was introduced back in 2008.

    The Exeter St Thomas hump will be followed by further Citizens’ Rail involvement at the station. New ticket machines are on the way, and the recently formed Friends of Exeter St Thomas group are working with our lead partner the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership on a range of exciting potential ideas for the station, including murals, photographic displays and more greenery – all designed to create a welcoming environment and boost usage of the station.

    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.

  • Venez Goûter ! Animation par la Région des Pays de la Loire

    Venez Goûter ! Animation par la Région des Pays de la Loire

    La Région des Pays de la Loire a invité les usagers de la gare de Penhoët à un goûter gratuit pour redécouvrir leur gare.

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

    Le lycée des métiers Sainte-Anne à Saint-Nazaire a réalisé des spécialités de viennoiseries européennes à déguster sur place. Environ 150 usagers ont discuté la rénovation de la gare en présence de SNCF TER et de la Région – un grand succès.

    Le goûter sera suivi par deux évenements avec un conteur :

    • Le 18 avril 2015 : le Voyage imaginaire
    Les enfants de la Maison de quartier Méan-Penhoët prendront le train à la gare de Penhoët avec un conteur : direction Nantes pour une visite d’un centre technique ferroviaire. À bord du TER, les enfants dessineront sur le thème du Voyage imaginaire. Leurs dessins seront exposés sur la passerelle de la gare pendant les travaux.
    Informations : Maison de Quartier Méan-Penhoët 02 40 66 04 50

    • Le dimanche 7 juin 2015 à 10h : Laissez-vous conter !
    Visite gratuite avec un conteur à travers les « Chemins de Brouette » du quartier et des abords de la gare de Penhoët.
    Inscription : l’Atelier de Saint-Nazaire 02 40 66 63 62

  • Food and information stall helps to inform Penhoët station users

    Food and information stall helps to inform Penhoët station users

    Our French partner, Région des Pays de la Loire, has once again proved the power of using food to engage people. Their snacks and information event at Penhoët station in Saint-Nazaire enabled staff from SNCF TER and the Région to consult 150 people and let them know about upcoming station improvements.

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

    The event built upon Citizens’ Rail’s “European breakfast” mornings on The Riviera Line in the UK and on the La Roche Bressuire line, also in Pays de la Loire. However this time there was a new twist, with the food prepared by college students from the nearby Lycée des métiers Sainte-Anne.

    The afternoon stall allowed station users and local residents to find out more and ask questions about the big improvements that will happen at the station later in the year.

    The event will be followed with a pair of storytelling sessions at the station in April and June, as the next stage in Région des Pays de la Loire’s community engagement programme.

  • Food and information stall helps to inform Penhoët station users

    Food and information stall helps to inform Penhoët station users

    Our French partner, Région des Pays de la Loire, has once again proved the power of using food to engage people. Their snacks and information event at Penhoët station in Saint-Nazaire enabled staff from SNCF TER and the Région to consult 150 people and let them know about upcoming station improvements.

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

    The event built upon Citizens’ Rail’s “European breakfast” mornings on The Riviera Line in the UK and on the La Roche Bressuire line, also in Pays de la Loire. However this time there was a new twist, with the food prepared by college students from the nearby Lycée des métiers Sainte-Anne.

    The afternoon stall allowed station users and local residents to find out more and ask questions about the big improvements that will happen at the station later in the year.

    The event will be followed with a pair of storytelling sessions at the station in April and June, as the next stage in Région des Pays de la Loire’s community engagement programme.

  • Station improvements – good news from Aachen

    Station improvements – good news from Aachen

    Citizens’ Rail’s station improvement projects have taken another step forward thanks to a pair of positive council verdicts about Eilendorf station.

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

    This month the city’s mobility committee and Aachen-Eilendorf district council both agreed that the transformation of the station should move to the next stage of planning.

    The current station has very poor access for people wishing to get from one platform to the other, involving a long walk via the bridge to the west or tunnel to the east. Passengers have been known to illegally cross the tracks.

    The centre piece of the proposed design is a bridge with barrier-free access. This emerged as the best solution through close engagement with the local community as part of the Citizens’ Rail project. This included consultation events attended by approximately 50 people held in the local neighbourhood.

    Read more about the project on Aachen City Council’s Eilendorf page (in German).

  • Station improvements – good news from Aachen

    Station improvements – good news from Aachen

    Citizens’ Rail’s station improvement projects have taken another step forward thanks to a pair of positive council verdicts about Eilendorf station.

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

    This month the city’s mobility committee and Aachen-Eilendorf district council both agreed that the transformation of the station should move to the next stage of planning.

    The current station has very poor access for people wishing to get from one platform to the other, involving a long walk via the bridge to the west or tunnel to the east. Passengers have been known to illegally cross the tracks.

    The centre piece of the proposed design is a bridge with barrier-free access. This emerged as the best solution through close engagement with the local community as part of the Citizens’ Rail project. This included consultation events attended by approximately 50 people held in the local neighbourhood.

    Read more about the project on Aachen City Council’s Eilendorf page (in German).

  • Station improvements – good news from Aachen

    Station improvements – good news from Aachen

    Citizens’ Rail’s station improvement projects have taken another step forward thanks to a pair of positive council verdicts about Eilendorf station.

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

    This month the city’s mobility committee and Aachen-Eilendorf district council both agreed that the transformation of the station should move to the next stage of planning.

    The current station has very poor access for people wishing to get from one platform to the other, involving a long walk via the bridge to the west or tunnel to the east. Passengers have been known to illegally cross the tracks.

    The centre piece of the proposed design is a bridge with barrier-free access. This emerged as the best solution through close engagement with the local community as part of the Citizens’ Rail project. This included consultation events attended by approximately 50 people held in the local neighbourhood.

    Read more about the project on Aachen City Council’s Eilendorf page (in German).