The community rail movement is playing a leading role in the transformation of railways and stations into vibrant, inclusive, culturally rich community assets delivering significant social, economic and environmental value, a new report shows.

Placemaking projects co-produced with local people are empowering communities to shape local environments and embed pride, heritage and identity into railway spaces, while also breaking down barriers to rail use.

‘Community rail: placemaking and local identity’, produced by Community Rail Network with support from Rail Delivery Group (RDG), highlights that community rail’s local knowledge and relationships with other community groups and partners is crucial in enabling rail to enrich lives and strengthen communities through thoughtful, collaborative placemaking.

Through community engagement, cultural expression and economic development, community rail partnerships and station groups are providing demonstrable impact, helping rail to serve, reflect and celebrate the unique character of places and meet local needs better.

Community rail partnerships (CRPs) and station groups, which make up the growing grassroots community rail movement, are developing a wide range of initiatives – from art and music projects to heritage restorations and inclusive travel schemes – that demonstrate how stations and railways can become hubs and facilitators of creativity, wellbeing and regeneration.

The report finds that community rail is making a significant contribution to the historical and cultural significance of rail, including support for the national Railway 200 campaign, with projects reinforcing the idea that railways are not only connectors of places but also custodians of local stories and catalysts for civic pride.

It encourages rail and transport partners and policy makers to appreciate and understand placemaking work within community rail, how it can help fulfil core objectives – like inclusive stations, increasing sustainable leisure and tourism by rail, and supporting housing, jobs and regeneration – and to be responsive to the vital insights these projects offer.

Examples in the report include:

• South East Lancashire CRP’s ‘Wiganese’ and ‘Wonders of Wigan’ murals, which have transformed Wigan North Western Station into a vibrant cultural landmark, celebrating uniqueness of place through community-led art;

• The renovation of Haltwhistle Station led by Tyne Valley CRP, which showcases placemaking through adaptive reuse and community-focused design, preserving the station’s heritage while introducing modern functionality;

• The Make and Trade initiative along the Heart of Wales Line, which connects local businesses, communities and the railway to support sustainable rural economies;

• The revamp of Lowestoft Station by the Lowestoft Central Project, which demonstrates how placemaking can turn neglected infrastructure into a cultural and social asset, strengthening local identity and encouraging sustained community involvement;

• The conversion of Hollingbourne Railway Station’s disused ticket office and booking hall into a vibrant community hub, highlighting how placemaking can preserve heritage, meet community needs, and create a sustainable, inclusive public space.

The community rail movement, now made up of 76 community-based partnerships and 1,300 station volunteer groups, aims to promote social inclusion and access to opportunity, sustainable travel, health and wellbeing, and local economic development. This involves working with train operators, the rail and transport sector, local authorities, educators, and community partners, to spearhead locally led projects connected with rail, bring improvements to rail services and stations, and help communities have a voice on rail and transport.

Jools Townsend, chief executive of Community Rail Network, said: “The community rail movement is playing a transformative placemaking role, demonstrating how railways and stations can evolve into vibrant, culturally rich, economically stimulating community assets, while offering inclusive transport facilities that meet local needs. At the heart of this transformation is a people-first approach that empowers communities to come together and shape their local environments, fostering pride, identity and social cohesion.

“With the rail and transport sector in a state of flux, the lessons from community rail’s placemaking activities offer a compelling blueprint for future development. By placing people at the centre of planning and design, and celebrating the distinctiveness of place, our railways and connected sustainable transport networks can play a greatly enhanced role in enriching lives, supporting local economies, strengthening communities, and building a more inclusive and sustainable future.”

Jacqueline Starr, chief executive officer of the Rail Delivery Group, said: “Rail isn’t only about getting from A to B; it helps places thrive by connecting communities and driving local economies.

“This report shows how community rail transforms stations into welcoming, inclusive spaces that reflect local identity, promote wellbeing and encourage sustainable travel. Rail Delivery Group is proud to support this work and the staff and volunteers who make it happen.”

The report, which was launched at RDG’s Stations Summit, can be accessed via the Community Rail Network website here.