Community Rail News – 26 July 2023

July 26, 2023

Hello everyone. We hope you’re well.

Responding to ticket office consultations

Rail Delivery Group has announced today that the deadline for the ticket office consultations has been extended until 1 September. We continue to encourage all community rail partnerships and station groups to share your insights and expertise on how your communities are likely to be affected by proposed changes. Please note, for those who have already submitted a response, all previous submissions will be counted and there is no need to resubmit comments. Following on from our webinar last week and comments we have received directly from many of you, we have drafted a strategic national response, available here.

Accessibility & inclusion report

We are pleased to be publishing a new report sponsored by RDG on community rail and inclusive, accessible travel. The report highlights how railways and stations can be used as sites to foster cohesion and empower those with diverse lived experience, and how the work of community rail partnerships and station groups breaks down barriers for those who might otherwise feel excluded or marginalised from rail. Read the report.

Funding opportunity

The company AlpKit, who produce outdoor equipment, has a grant scheme to fund projects that remove barriers and encourage travel to the outdoors. Promoting sustainable and healthy travel and tourism is a top priority for many of you, so this grant fund may be of interest. Find out more.

Diversifying funding streams

We are keen to share best practice examples of members diversifying and growing their income streams. If you have a project that has used funding from unusual/non-train operator sources, email news@communityrail.org.uk with the details.

It’s Your Station drop-in session

We’re running an ‘It’s Your Station’ drop-in support session with category judges Mark Barker and Paul Bigland, 10.30-12.00 on Wednesday 2 August. Details have been sent to all station volunteer group members. You can also download the entry toolkit here.

Dates for your diaries

Our annual Community Rail Conference for community rail partnerships, run with the DfT, will take place on 13-14 November 2023 in Nottingham. Full details will be confirmed in the coming months, but please put the dates in your diaries.

Please also save the date for this year’s online AGM: 14.00-15.30, Tuesday 7 November 2023. Further information will be circulated nearer the time.

If you have any news stories, please email our communications team on news@communityrail.org.uk. See here for guidance on submitting stories.

Your next bulletin is on 9 August. Keep up-to-date in between on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Best wishes,
Jeremy and Jools