ISSUE 5 SUMMER 2021 NEWSLETTER

At the time of writing this, we are hope you are desperate to get progressing well on the ‘road map’ away and use the train. Time spent to recovery, when hospitality re- away from large groups might opens indoors, including cinemas. make people anxious about rail This will be great news for many of travel. However, we have 28 years the small businesses that are local of engaging with the community to the Line. For most and promoting the use of the train. of us, life has changed beyond We will be working with partners to ALL CHANGE AT what we might have predicted promote days out to attractions and STATION ...... SUBJECT TO or expected over the past year. the great outdoors by train. Working APPROVAL with people who do not travel by want to create a better train due to lack of confidence, lack performing railway that passengers of experience or hidden disability is can depend on, with more seats, something we have been engaged more trains, and faster journeys. By with previously, so we are looking creating a better-connected North, forward to helping those individuals this will provide people with more to go by rail. The countdown is now opportunities to travel to work, study on for the end of June when we will or see family and friends. be able to encourage people to use The current network layout between the train again, whether it be for Huddersfield and Dewsbury Working in Community Rail work or leisure! We look forward to would not be able to hold the and not being able to engage being able to say again: ‘See you on capacity for faster, or additional with the community in what the train!’ - Rowena Chantler would have been the normal trains. Upgrading the section of tradition of face-to- face contact, TRAVEL WITH CONFIDENCE railway between Huddersfield and was initially a challenge. The rail industry is ensuring there Westtown – about half a mile south- We have focussed on new is a safe environment on the train. west of Dewsbury Station – is key to ways of working, and we are all , operating on the delivering the benefits passengers familiar with Zoom and Teams Penistone Line are cleaning all want along the Transpennine for video communication, not their carriages and key stations railway. Stations would be upgraded only for meetings but also for every day. With a team of over 600 to modern standards and would training, networking, and engaging dedicated cleaners, they are paying provide better accessibility with communities and schools. extra attention to cleaning handrails facilities for passengers. The It is much more time efficient to and armrests, using an anti-viral proposals include improvements at hold virtual meetings, especially sanitiser which stops the COVID-19 Huddersfield, Deighton, Mirfield and if you are part-time. It looks like virus for longer. Northern staff are Ravensthorpe. Huddersfield Station the future may hold more of a on hand to help and are working would see a new footbridge and lift, combination approach of virtual harder than ever to make your an extension of the subway allowing and face to face engagement. journey safe and enjoyable. The for an entrance to the station from Our world has changed which assisted travel scheme is operating the St George’s Warehouse side creates some challenges for us for people with additional needs to and a new island platform amongst in community rail: encouraging travel. Try travelling at quieter times, other improvements. people to travel after being stay safe and enjoy travelling along Electrification of the line would bring told ‘Don’t travel’ though we our beautiful line. many improvements and would

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PENISTONE LINE PARTNERSHIP PACER SPACE Our friends at Platform-1 mental health charity, which is situated behind Platform 2 Huddersfield Railway Station, won an old pacer train carriage, to use as additional space to accommodate an ever increasing membership. Unfortunately, the installation was postponed on 8 May as part of the platform for the crane to sit on was the wrong specification. We will be sure to share images of the lift into postition, and how the pacer is used in the near future. Image: networkrail.co.uk Huddersfield to Westtown (Dewsbury) map allow better connectivity to and from the Penistone Line. For more information and details on the proposed changes visit networkrail.co.uk to view their update plans along the Transpennine railway. ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AND TRESPASS During the lockdown periods, many areas of the country saw increased cases of trespass and anti-social behaviour, but particularly so in the area. This Summer Rowena will be working with Element Society, based in Sheffield, to deliver part of the National Citizenship Service Programme, it will involve promoting rail safety and positive behaviour around the railway. Problem areas are often between stations, so Rowena has also been in touch with schools in between stations in those areas to promote rail safety talks. Backtrack returns this June, with another competition, this year there is no upper age limit, providing us with the scope to engage with a wider range of people. We are looking forward to using some of the entries to further develop our Rail Safety Engagement Programme.

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PENISTONE LINE PARTNERSHIP DELAY ON 3 CARRIAGE The new website will be user- Community Rail Network can OPERATION friendly and easy to navigate. Our advise on practicalities. Visit web address will remain the same https://communityrail.org.uk/ Northern had planned to start www.penline.co.uk We will let you join-us/station-adopters-small- operating three car services along know when we go live via social groups/ for information. the Penistone Line this summer, but media. sadly it now seems likely that this will be delayed. The delay is down to STRETCHGATE RESURFACED a cascade of vehicles from at least We have finally been able to see for 2 operators. The units that were ourselves the half-mile path linking hoped to be on our line from the Shepley and Shelley villages. The summer are currently being used in path through farmland is now East Lancashire but until their new accessible for all with low level units arrive, we will have to wait for lighting so that, cyclists, runners, our increased capacity. As soon walkers, pushchair and mobility as we find out more information scooter users can easily navigate on this, we will share on our new between the two villages. website, and social media. BRAILLE SIGNAGE We are happy to report that braille signage has been installed on railings at stations and platforms along the Penistone Line. They are great way-markers in general to indicate the platform numbers where we have double track and 2 platforms.

Shepley end of Strechgate adjacent to Silkstone Care Group have Shepley railway station become members of the To see the before and after images Community Rail Network, follow the link. making them eligable to apply for https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/ funding, support and guidance. news/west-yorkshire-news/ Their station garden is currently revived-footpath-connecting-two- blooming with beautiful bluebells. villages-19421753 STATION WALKS VOLUNTEERING CAN BOOST We look forward to re-starting our WELLBEING guided walks later this summer. Station adoption and friends of In the meantime, groups help to make sure the Walkers Are Welcome group, station is welcoming; keep an eye has been busy updating and Braille signage on railings along the out for any unusual activity; report developing new self-guided walks. Penistone Line (South Yorkshire). any faults and issues; and maintain Penistone Line Partnership have WEBSITE CHANGES planters and gardens. They make printed and installed the maps We are in the process of co- a huge difference to every single at several stations along the creating a new website with a local passenger. Thinking of starting a Penistone Line. There is detailed -based company, GoWeb. station adoption group? All it takes information on the 16 different We hope to go live in the summer. is a group of two or more, walks of differing ability, click QR

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PENISTONE LINE PARTNERSHIP will adopt a station in the future, and also help create visually stimulating environments along the line. SUMMER TRAVEL There are over 60 community rail lines in the UK, running through stunning scenery. In a period of uncertainty Penistone Line Partnership are running a joint promotion with Tyne Valley CRP, where each line will share their highlights. Why not consider a staycation or several days out. The Tyne Valley Line has some amazing walks and places to visit. Connect to the Tyne Valley by the Cross Country service to Newscastle from Sheffield. Look Image: Self-guided walks from/inbetween Penistone Line stations by Walkers are Welcome out for our posts on social media code to view the maps on your music, stalls, and roaming for more information between 5th mobile or download and print. A theatrics. The Penistone Line and 12th July 2021. great way to enjoy the scenery Partnership are unable to run a RAIL SAFETY EDUCATION from the train and then on foot. themed event this year due to We would like to thank, Denby restrictions, however look out for Rowena has also been promoting Dale Walkers Are Welcome, Denby Knit & Natter trains in the future. Rail Safety sessions which follow Dale Parish Countryside Project, We are working with University the national curriculum, the Council and Denby Dale of Huddersfield to create an sessions are free and suitable Parish Council who have made it installation for Woven Festival for school, SEN, and uniformed possible. at Platform 2, Huddersfield groups. Please get in touch with Rowena on 07912753817 to WOVEN IN KIRKLEES Railway Station. We hope that the university textile department arrange a visit or online session. There will be an impressive installation of 1000’s of rainbow- coloured squares on the historic pillars in front of Huddersfield train station knitted by volunteer groups and individuals, locally, nationally and internationally. The festival will run from 5th to 27th June 2021. Keep an eye out on our social media channels for further information or visit the Woven website at https://woveninkirklees. co.uk/ Knitted way markers and textile installations at our village stations will highlight the route to Huddersfield. Visit Huddersfield Railway Station, St George’s Square, on 26th & 27th June (subject to Government restrictions). See scaled-up craft demonstrations, PAGE 4

PENISTONE LINE PARTNERSHIP