Greater Anglia has launched a Customer and Community Improvement Fund, designed to support local, community-focused rail improvements.

Overall, £350,000 a year will be allocated to projects across the Greater Anglia network.

The scheme is aimed at supporting initiatives which deliver community benefits and enhance rail’s positive role in society. A wide range of ideas will be eligible for funding, including small-scale station enhancements, integrated transport projects, schemes to introduce new or disadvantaged groups to rail travel, education projects, biodiversity projects, arts or heritage schemes, or new ways of promoting services among local communities.

Applications can be put forward by local organisations or bodies, such as community rail partnerships, station adopters, local authorities or parish councils, community groups, charities, or other stakeholders along the routes served by the train operator.

Jonathan Denby, head of corporate affairs for Greater Anglia, said: “We’re always looking to enhance the role of the railway in support of the community it serves. We already see great initiatives delivered in partnership with our community rail partnerships and station adopters right across the Greater Anglia network.

“This new scheme is a way of supporting further locally focused enhancements in line with community needs.”  

Proposals must be deliverable by 31 March 2025, be focused only on the Greater Anglia network area, and have a lasting positive impact for communities and the railway in the region.  

The deadline for applications is 23:59 on Friday 13 September 2024.

For more information and to submit your application, visit the Greater Anglia website.

Find out more about Greater Anglia’s work in the community here.