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Government sets out vision for future of Britain’s railways in draft Rail Reform Bill

The Department for Transport has set out its vision for the future of Britain’s railways via the publication of a draft Rail Reform Bill. The bill outlines a blueprint for bringing track and train together under a new Integrated Rail Body, Great British Railways (GBR). The government states that GBR will bring together responsibility for […]

2024 George Bradshaw Address ‘Election Special’ – summary

The Rail Minister and his Shadow Minister counterpart both outlined their visions for the future of Britain’s railways at the 2024 George Bradshaw address last night. Huw Merriman MP, Minister of State for Rail and HS2, and Stephen Morgan MP, Shadow Minister of State for Rail, both gave keynote speeches at what was dubbed an […]

CRL supports aspiring journalist with Preston Station history project

A new poster celebrating Preston Station’s history was unveiled in the Platform 3 waiting room at an event on Saturday 10 February. In summer 2023, sixth form student Billy Burton was undertaking a placement with the Lancashire Archives and Local History, Preston. With interests in railways and in becoming a journalist, Billy was delighted to […]

Striking artwork transforms pedestrian approach to Matlock Station

An impressive 3.4 square metre artwork has been unveiled on the Matlock Station footbridge at a ceremony on Friday 9 February. Dominating the approach to Matlock Station since 2007, the structure was in need of a refresh. The new artwork has transformed the space, depicting a Midland Railway 100 Class steam locomotive, a common sight […]

New tools for Queenborough Station Adopters thanks to council support

Volunteers at Queenborough Station have been gifted new gardening tools thanks to support from Kent County Council. On Friday 9 February, Kent Community Rail Partnership (CRP) visited Queenborough Station to hand over the new tools – including trowels, forks, brushes, brooms, secateurs and tidy bags – kindly funded by Councillors Mike Whiting and Andy Booth […]

Northwich Station welcomes group of enthusiastic volunteers

Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership (CRP) was delighted to welcome 14 keen local residents to a volunteer session at Northwich Station earlier this month. The budding volunteers joined an information and safety session at the station on Wednesday 7 February, led by Northern’s communities and sustainability manager Rebecca Styles and Mid Cheshire CRP’s officer Sarah […]

Local wildlife celebrated in Keynsham Station mural

A beautiful new mural depicting the flora and fauna of Keynsham has been unveiled on Monday 12 February at the local station. The piece was developed as part of a scheme devised by station volunteers and Keynsham in Bloom to improve a strip of land on one of the platforms. To increase biodiversity at the […]

British Railways totem returns to Handforth Station after 40 years

A British Railways totem has been returned to Handforth Station after sitting in a local resident’s attic for over 40 years. In the early 1980s, British Rail were nearing the end of their process to change all the old platform name totems to more modern versions. It was around this time that local Handforth resident […]

Facilitating integrated public transport: join TravelWatch NorthWest Conference

TravelWatch NorthWest is inviting members of the community rail movement to attend its upcoming conference. TravelWatch NorthWest is an independent body that represents users of all forms of public transport in the Northwest. The organisation encourages both users of local public transport and representatives of transport operators to attend its regular conferences, where delegates are […]