The concept of ‘20 minute neighbourhoods’ has been gaining traction as a way to strengthen communities, reduce traffic and decarbonise transport. As we look to build back better from the pandemic, we know many community rail partnerships and station groups are engaging with active travel development locally, and thinking about how neighbourhoods around your station could be reinvigorated.

The Town and Country Planning Association has published a guide to 20 minute neighbourhoods, explaining how these compact and accessible areas can help people meet their everyday needs with a short walk or cycle. There are potentially opportunities for this to be linked with community rail, such as considering how stations can become focal points within these areas and connect different neighbourhoods up sustainably.

Members who are interested in placing their station at the heart of liveable, accessible communities and connecting it with active travel modes, will find the guide of interest: https://www.tcpa.org.uk/guide-the-20-minute-neighbourhood