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Sustainability conversations and networking event – CMAC + Gloucestershire CRP

Community Rail Network’s corporate partners offer a variety of different skill sets, knowledge and opportunities to aid our members’ work and support the growth of community rail across Britain. 

One fantastic example comes from our corporate partners CMAC, who collaborated with Gloucestershire Community Rail Partnership (CRP) to host an education engagement event, shining a spotlight on the partnership’s sustainability achievements. 

At the event, held at the University of Gloucestershire on Tuesday 5 December 2023, CMAC, Community Rail Network and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) created an opportunity for students from the university’s urban planning, geography and transport degrees to learn more about the range of work Gloucestershire CRP delivers and discuss ideas for how active travel can be improved in the future. 

The event kicked off with introductions from Neil Mickelthwaite (CMAC), Chris Selman (Department for Transport) and Paul Webster (Community Rail Network), before Jon Harris and Hannah McDonnell of Gloucestershire CRP delivered informative presentations on how they work to improve sustainability in transport, promote greener tourism and leisure journeys, and connect local communities to their railway.


Hannah McDonnell, executive director of Gloucestershire CRP, said: “This collaboration with CMAC and our industry partners exemplifies how community rail can create meaningful connections between the transport sector, place-based planning, and education. 

“By bringing together university students, transport professionals, and community rail practitioners, we’ve opened up valuable dialogue about sustainable travel with the next generation of planners and place makers in Gloucestershire. The students brought fresh perspectives on active travel and youth engagement, while gaining practical insights into how the transport sector drives positive environmental change. 

“It’s exactly the kind of strategic partnership that helps us inspire young people to envision and shape a more sustainable and connected future.”


Amber Green, had of sustainability and community at CMAC, said: “This was a fantastic event that highlighted some of the great work that community rail does, particularly in the sustainability arena. 

“Gloucestershire CRP’s collaboration with students has highlighted how the next generation can bring exciting new ideas, and their work with local communities shows how we can all work together to make for a greener future for rail.” 

Learn more about Gloucestershire CRP by visiting their website.