Community Station Partnerships
Communities have long been contributors in this country, none more so than in the railway industry and this new model for local people to work with the Train Operating Company and help regenerate local stations is a powerful model for the future.
The rail industry has a long history of community activity and engagement and during the year of three lockdowns in the UK, community partnerships and collaborations flourished.
At West Midlands Railway, there were record numbers of new volunteers and burgeoning community activity, the triumph of which was the launch of the first ‘Community Station Partnership’ in the UK.
Friends of the Shakespeare Line
The Friends of the Shakespeare Line have adopted every station along the line from Birmingham to Stratford upon Avon and this collective enterprise is managed by volunteer trustees.
Further Partnerships are launching on the WMR network:
Beyond The Hills launched in May 2022, comprising Ledbury & Colwall and engaging with further stations along the line
The Chase Line comprising 5 stations will launch in June 2022
Further Partnerships are under discussion with volunteers across the network. These partnerships provide mutual benefit for the rail industry and local neighbourhoods in developing the environment, boosting the local economy, and supporting the wellbeing of neighbourhoods.
Greater local connectivity and collaboration with the rail company supports the rise of economic and social ‘localism’ and the increased visibility for local communities is a powerful component of these new Station Partnerships.
CSPs are increasing rail passenger numbers and journey quality.
Community Station Partnerships in the
West Midlands Railway network
People, Innovation & Railways
We're all volunteers!
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Encouraging people to connect with the railways and adopt local railway stations
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Working with neighbours, friends, local businesses, Network Rail and the Train Operating Company to develop stations as community assets
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Promoting ‘reasons to travel’ and increase train usage with local publicity
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Bringing people together to enhance their neighbourhood and make new friends
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Helping to make the station more welcoming with a sense of localism and community
For more information contact: friends@wmtrains.co.uk