Hello everyone.
Last week we were delighted to host a visit from Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham to Altrincham Interchange, on the day the government’s new ‘Better Connected’ transport strategy was launched. Bringing national policy and local practice into discussion, we underlined the vital role community rail plays in creating a more joined-up, inclusive transport network.
The strength of local delivery shone through. Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership and the Friends of Altrincham Interchange are doing exceptional work – connecting people, improving access, and ensuring stations and services reflect the needs of their communities. It’s that local knowledge and commitment that gives community rail its unique value.
Moments like this are exactly why we’re continuing to prioritise our public affairs work. By creating opportunities to bring decision-makers closer to community rail in action, we can better demonstrate members’ impact, influence policy, and ensure community rail is recognised as a key delivery partner by national and regional authorities.
We’ve also produced a summary of the ‘Better Connected’ strategy for members and partners, highlighting what it means for community rail and where there are opportunities.
Alongside this, we’re pleased to share that Community Rail Network’s new five-year strategy has been approved by our Board and is being put into practice.
This strategy sets a clear direction, building on the strengths of our movement while responding to an evolving landscape. Our focus is on deepening community engagement, strengthening partnerships across rail, transport and the community sector, improving how we evidence impact, and ensuring community rail’s long-term sustainability.
To bring our strategy to life, we’re placing renewed emphasis on cross-team working, bringing together expertise across policy, communications, events, training and member support to provide a more cohesive and effective offer. We’ll continue to work closely with members and partners to ensure our approach is grounded in your experience and supports the work happening in communities every day.
You’ll begin to see this reflected more in the coming year, in how we advocate for community rail, the opportunities we create, and the support we provide.
Best wishes,
Jeremy and Jools
Community Rail Week (1-7 June) – how to get involved
Celebrating connections, inclusion and the journeys that bring people together is at the heart of this year’s Community Rail Week theme, ‘Journeys for All’. Whether you’re a member group, partner or supporter, there are plenty of ways to get involved. Discover inspiration and ideas here and contact Alice to discuss further.
Upcoming sessions
We have several online webinars, training and networking sessions over the next few months, covering transport connectivity, social media, project management, impact, and placemaking for safety. Visit our online calendar for details of all sessions and registration links.
New corporate donor
We’re delighted to welcome Morgan Sindall Infrastructure as our latest corporate donor. Learn more about their organisation and how they’ll be working with community rail here.
Your next bulletin is on 29 April. Keep up-to-date in between on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky and X.
Send your stories to our news@communityrail.org.uk and see our guidance on submitting stories.
- Travelling with Confidence: rail safety and community art along the Clitheroe Line
- Tourism Network on tour: members explore the Yorkshire Coast Line
- Young artists create works inspired by the Borders Railway
- ‘Beyond the Tracks’ brings culture and live music to trains in Halton
- Partnership connects communities by rail during Penistone Arts Week
- Ipswich to Cambridge rail route to be promoted as St. Edmund’s Line
- Station adopters from across the North unite for inaugural conference in Cumbria
- Tracks of Our Lives: community artwork unveiled at Bicester North Station
- Host a ‘music and the railways’ history and heritage talk at your station event
- Railway stalwart praised for contribution to Wiltshire’s rail network
- Rail 74 CRP’s ‘Stop by Stop’ guide helps break down barriers to train travel
- Audio walks honour stories of women across South West Wales’ rail network
- Bishop Line CRP hosts ‘Mayor Meets’ session on transport in South Durham
- School brings art, gardening and history to newly-adopted Aylesford Station
- Community Rail Lancashire showcases 2025 highlights in Annual Report
- Drama celebrates 150 years of passenger service on the Settle-Carlisle Line
Unveiling the Red Wheel at Mallaig on 1 April (the railway’s 125th anniversary), the President of the NTT, Lady Judy McAlpine, paid tribute to the work of contractors Robert McAlpine, which opened up this remote part of the Highlands to economic development. Mallaig Harbour would go on to become one of Europe’s busiest fishing ports, while Glenfinnan Viaduct is now synonymous with the magical world of Harry Potter.
On the Yorkshire Coast CRP special train (right), the Easter Bunny handed out chocolate eggs and activity sheets jam-packed with puzzles based on the scenic line, including I-Spy and ‘design your own station’. For the first time, the Easter Train included Brough, Ferriby and Hessle stations in the celebrations, and by the time the train from Hull reached Scarborough, it was packed full of families travelling to the seaside. Passengers even got to say hello to ‘Stormy Stan’, the RNLI mascot who had joined TransPennine Express for a rail and water safety educational event.
- Book your tickets: ‘Inspiration’ is coming to Stockport, Skegness and East Lancashire
- Rail Delivery Group launches violence against women and girls strategy
- Week-long celebration of sustainable transport set to return from 15-21 June
- Nationwide plans announced to design safer streets for women and girls
- Car-free travel champions Good Journey win Decarbonising Leisure Travel Award
- Join webinar: connecting communities through active travel in Sunderland
- Scottish Government updates transport priorities in new delivery plan