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rallying call comes as updated Community Rail Strategy
is launched
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train operators urged to put resources into new and
existing community partnerships to strengthen links between the
railways and local people
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strategy also aims to tackle loneliness as part of
wider government plans
Rail Minister has challenged train operators
to step up their support for community rail projects across the
UK as he launches the 2018 Community Rail Strategy.
On a visit today (15 November 2018) to the Cumbrian Coast Line’s
‘rail journey to recovery’, one of the UK’s most successful
community rail projects, the minister saw how former alcohol and
drug addicts are gaining skills through job placements and
training which involves the station, supporting them in getting
back into work.
Meeting with volunteers and members of the scheme, the Rail
Minister urged train companies to commit more time, materials and
resources to shaping the future of the grassroots strategy,
ensuring local people and their priorities are put first.
Rail Minister said:
Community rail projects are vital because they get everybody
involved, from right across the community and give local people
a say in how their rail network can serve their needs. This is
why it is so important the train operators commit to supporting
them.
Since the first strategy was launched 14 years ago, we have
seen hundreds of successful projects spring up across the
country, giving so many people a local lifeline to events,
activities and initiatives that they would otherwise have no
access to.
That is why it is so important for train operators to increase
their support, opening up space and ensuring their stations
become vital hubs in our communities.
’Rail journey to recovery’ is just one of the projects run by
60 Community Rail
Partnerships (CRPs) across the country. The CRPs have
been set up by local groups, charities and councils working
closely with train operators to help people get the most from
their railways, promote social inclusion, support sustainable
travel and bring stations to life.
Jools Townsend, Chief Executive of the Association of Community
Rail Partnerships, said:
Hundreds of community rail partnerships and station groups
across Britain are working to help local people to get the most
from their railways, and support industry partners to put
communities at the forefront.
We welcome this strategy, which recognises the importance of
community rail to mobility, inclusion, wellbeing and
development, and provides a clear framework for partnership
work between communities and industry, government and third
sector partners. We hope it will inspire more people to get
involved.
Carolyn Watson, Community and Sustainability Director at
Northern, said:
We’re pleased to support the launch of this updated strategy.
Community engagement has been at the heart of Northern’s
approach since our franchise began. We support a wide range of
projects, led by our community rail partners that are
delivering real benefits for communities across the north of
England.
The services and facilities we provide drive economic growth
and connect people with each other and further opportunities.
But it’s the work and insight of our community partners that
will ensure we’re meeting the needs of the communities we
serve.
The original Community Rail Strategy was launched in 2004 and was
last revamped 11 years ago. Following a public
consultation which concluded earlier this year, the
updated strategy has now been officially launched.
Among the new measures in the 2018 Strategy are:
- a new accreditation scheme for CRPs, to act as a trusted mark
of quality and reflect the community-facing role they play
- a commitment to play a pivotal role in the government’s
new loneliness strategy,
launched in October, by helping community groups make use of
unused or under-used railway property to create a local hub and
facilities for people, especially in isolated areas
- the creation of a transport network that boosts people’s
social connections and provides opportunities for new education,
employment and life skills opportunities.
Find out more about community rail and
how to set up a local group.
