Hello everyone. We hope you are keeping warm and well through this busy autumn period. By now the first female Chancellor will have delivered the much trailed first Labour government budget in 14 years. We will be reviewing the full budget and responding to it.
Personal news
Firstly, a bit of personal news from me (Jools): in the new year, I will be taking some parental leave, as me and my husband are in the process of adopting a little one. The timings are inherently uncertain with adoption, and I wanted to have a bit more clarity before breaking the news, but it’s now looking likely to be mid-January when I start my leave. We are making good progress arranging suitable cover for my role, for likely a 6-9 month period, and hope to be able to confirm this with you in the next few weeks.
Although it’s going to continue to be a busy and important time, I feel confident and positive about leaving the organisation in a really robust position, with a truly wonderful team, two brilliant directors Sarah F & Sarah C, a strong and engaged Board, and of course our incredible network of members and partners.
Members’ survey
Our annual members’ survey is now open, having been emailed on Friday 18 October. We warmly encourage all members to respond, which should take no more than 15-20 minutes. Your input is vital for informing our planning and support into the future. The deadline is 5pm, Friday 8 November. If you have any queries or trouble accessing the survey, contact Rob L.
Train operators’ business planning
A reminder for CRPs especially that the annual business planning process for train operators in England is underway, with submission of first draft plans due at the end of November. Business planning is vital to ensuring community rail has the support it needs, and enabling community rail to provide communities with a voice on rail. We understand that this year train operators have been asked by the DfT to set out specifics on how they’ll engage and support community rail, including involvement in decision-making, and rolling forward current funding assumptions (subject to DfT confirmation).
We know many train operators have been gathering community rail input in recent weeks, but as always, do talk to your partner/funder train operators to offer input if you haven’t been engaged already. If you need advice from us, speak to your usual support & development team contact.
Scotland activity
Our refocused Paths for All-funded work is underway, with Dan Wright working on Thursdays to support our CRP members in Scotland, and our comms & policy team involving the Scottish CRPs in our campaigns promoting rail-based travel and tourism. This will be accompanied by strategic partner engagement and PR activity, strengthening community rail in Scotland and raising its profile as a grassroots movement.
Days Out by Rail – final week
There’s still time to get involved in the final few days of our tourism and leisure campaign. You can share your tourism offer on social media using #DaysOutByRail, and link to our competitions to win two Railcards, courtesy of National Rail. For further advice, contact Alice.
Railway 200 session
We’re hosting the next in our series of Railway 200 sessions on Friday 22 November, 1-2pm. Hear the latest developments on the national campaign from project manager Emma Robertson, with a chance for you to ask questions and discuss your plans. Join here.
Send your stories to news@communityrail.org.uk and see our guidance on submitting stories.
Your next bulletin is on 13 November. Keep up-to-date in between on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok and X.
Best wishes,
Jeremy and Jools
- Greater Anglia announces formation of new Ipswich to Cambridge CRP
- LGBTQ+ charity adopts South Western Railway’s Vauxhall Station
- Transport Planning Society events looks at ways to reduce car dependency
- Join CoMoUK conference to explore next steps for shared transport development
- Lumo and Purpose Coalition launch ‘Breaking Down Barriers in Rail’ report
- Feel Good Field Trip takes students on thrilling mystery ride at Glasgow theatre
- Fitzwilliam Station artwork celebrates history and heritage of local community
- ‘Cockney Singalong’ event train delights Essex passengers
- Anniversary celebrations for twinned Bentham and Mytholmroyd stations
- Award success blooms for stations along the Settle to Carlisle line
- Southeast Communities Rail Partnership creates dedicated Railway 200 webpage
- Friends of Chirk Station ‘highly commended’ at National Rail Awards
- Whitwell Station hosts community planting day for new sensory garden
- Illustrated mural highlights destinations accessible by rail in Taunton and beyond
- TransWilts CRP welcomes initial study on strategic plan for rail in Wiltshire
