Albrighton Station

STATIONS AS PLACES Opportunity Prospectus

Integration, Community and Delivery: a Masterplan for Albrighton Station

ALBRIGHTON STATION APRIL 2020 FOREWORD Introducing the concept of Stations as Places The Stations as Places programme aims to promote local railway stations as community ‘hubs’ rather than simply access points onto the rail network. The vision is to develop local railway stations as an asset highly valued within the community, contributing to economic growth and acting as a hub for creativity, heritage and social amenity.

The Vision “We will develop stations as quality gateways between communities and the railway, supporting the changing needs of our passengers, residents and visitors. Stations in the West Midlands will be community assets, supporting the wellbeing and development of the areas they serve through involving local community and business.” West Midlands Station Alliance (WMSA) Mission Statement

What does the prospectus do for Albrighton Station? There is an important role for the railways to play in both the economic and social regeneration of the local areas which our stations serve. This Opportunity Prospectus sets out the economic, social and geographic landscape of the area around our station and highlights some of the opportunities for commercial development, partnership working, inward investment and community regeneration. We have included a profile of Albrighton station in this document and looked at different types of activity neighbouring the station, from local businesses providing facilities to the travelling public, local authorities using existing assets in different ways, businesses looking for investment opportunities and the impact of new development in the surrounding area.

Contents

Chapter Page Chapter Page Why ‘Stations as Places’? 2 Community Insight 12 Bringing our Partners together 3 Delivery Strategy 13 About the Station 4 Opportunities for Investment 14 Get in touch and keep up to date What Do We Know? 6 Action Plan and Targets 15 You can email [email protected] and 16 Survey Results 7 Who to contact and how to get involved one of the team will get back to you! Services and Trains 8 Station Layout 9 You can also follow progress on Stations The Headline Opportunities 10 as Places at: www.wmre.org.uk/stationsalliance Opportunity Plan 11

1 Why ‘Stations as Places’ for Albrighton?

Who are the West Midlands Station Alliance? WMSA is a formal alliancing arrangement between industry partners with a common vision and What do we Know forward plan, including infrastructure owner Network Rail, station facilities owner West Midlands Trains (WMT) and local government West Midlands Rail Executive. The role of the WMSA is to facilitate Stations as Places by bringing together various stakeholders to work together in partnership; ensuring that the Stations as Places vision and local aspirations are shared between the stakeholders, the infrastructure owner - the station facilities owner - and the Local Government. community ENGAGEMENT Why Albrighton Station has been selected?

Albrighton is an important station for commuters going into the West Midlands and visitors going to the town. The station has an important role to play in the village through providing connectivity building a to job opportunities in the West Midlands metropolitan area. There are two peak trains per hour VISION between Albrighton and Birmingham New Street. The local community in Albrighton is very strong with a successful Parish Council.

The drivers for developing this location Stations as Places Albrighton station is used by over 100 million passengers annually and provides an sustainable PROSPECTUS transport opportunity and an alternative to the M54. The two platform station has one accessible platform 1 is an accessible platform with the second platform shortly to become accessible. The research we have conducted shows that a lot of people that live in the area are elderly so accessibility is very important. Monitoring Progress & Continuing Engagement The Prospectus This Prospectus sets out the headline opportunities for Albrighton Station; including car parking management, community integration, improvements to the passenger environment and promoting the area around the station. The flow chart on the right shows how weare delivering Stations as Places in Albrighton.

2 Bringing our Partners together

Our stakeholders really matter to us. Whether it’s a major developer building new homes in reach of the station or an individual customer that needs to be able to make an easy journey to a hospital appointment using a combination of train and bus, the Stations as Places team wants to hear views from stakeholders and customers. Our inclusive consultation approach ensures we cover the 4 dimensions of:

COMMUNITY LOCAL PERSPECTIVE

A railway station is often a great asset to a community, but a community Some railway stations are ideally suited for some areas and not at all for can also be a great asset to a railway station. others.

Albrighton Station is already clearly a valuable community asset which To help shape the future of Albrighton station, the needs and requirements needs to be cared for now and in the future, however, there is room for of the local community, involving the community in the planning process is growing the community’s involvement in the station. We have worked critical. The travel survey can establish how and when people travel to and closely with Albrighton Parish Council as part of the survey consultation from the station, but community involvement helps to make a station a more we conducted. We want to continue to work with the Parish Council to attractive and valuable community asset. Stations as Places aims to establish consider how they can help ensure the station serves the community. strong links between the station management and businesses, the community We would also like to explore using the disused station building as a and other local stakeholders; ensuring that the voice of the community is community facility. heard.

SOCIAL VALUE LEGACY

Transforming a railway station from a ‘passenger thoroughfare’ into An important objective of Stations as Places it to provide a long-term a genuine community asset will have a positive impact on the local legacy by establishing integration and community involvement as the community. heart of Albrighton Station.

Residents and businesses are more likely to take ownership of their local This will involve the community taking a level of ownership of the station station if it is a pleasant and safe place to be, meets their needs and and passing this onto the future generations to keep each station a valuable represents local people and heritage. A railway station can be a valued part of the local community. Of course, Network Rail, West Midlands Trains community hub and offer a real contribution to improving social inclusion and the Local Government will also have an important role in the legacy of and mental well-being; from promoting inclusivity through membership of a the station and that is why partnership working between the community and ‘friends of’ group or simply making waiting as a part of a morning commute these organisations is so important. more pleasant. Most importantly, an integrated station shows that people care and that they have something to be proud of.

3 About the station

KEY FACTS

The station opened in 1849, at the time it was located on the London Paddington to Birkenhead via Birmingham Snow Hill line. It is now part of the Shrewsbury to Wolverhampton line. The station is only a four minute drive from junction 3 of the M54, meaning you can quickly get from the station onto the strategic road network.

STATION ACCESS

There is only one entrance to the station, via station road. The customers arriving at the station are required to walk through the car An image of a DMU at the station. An image of the A41 (Albrighton- park which is on an incline. The station is a 10 minute walk from the Photo taken on 03/09/1983 By-Pass) running adjacent to the town centre, the walk to the town centre is safe through a residential Copyright Geoff Dowling; all rights station, a quck and direct route area which is well lit and with safe footpaths. However, there is a reserve. towards Wolverhampton in one distint lack of wayfinding between the station and the town. direction and towards the M54 in the other.

FACILITIES OVERVIEW STATION TYPOLOGY Albrighton Station Local Gateway – serves the town and local centres A waiting shelter on each platform - Access to Albrighton local centre Help points (providing information about the train - Access to residential areas in Albrighton and Donington service and the local area) - Access to Donington and Albrighton Nature Reserve Customer information screens on each platform - Gateway to the village and provides access to other regional centres for local residents A ticket vending machine Car park No staffed ticket office

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PUBLIC TRANSPORT, WALKING AND CYCLING ACCESS ANNUAL PASSENGER FOOTFALL There is no bus access at the station and the nearby stop is approx. 10-mins walk along Station Road, a 10 minute walk. There is step free access to platform 1, however platform 2 Year Footfall is not accessible. 1 cycle storage (16 spaces) which is sheltered and covered by CCTV. The roads around the station are small and there are cars parked on the local streets meaning 2018/19 101,548 vision leaving the station can be limited – not lending itself to cycling. 2017/18 98,872 2016/17 99,380 2015/16 95,322 STATION SERVICES LOCAL ACTIVITIES 2014/15 89,410 The station has a direct train to The station is a 10-minute walk Birmingham once per hour and a from the local high street. There are direct train to Shrewsbury once per multiple highly rated pubs along the CRIMES hour. There are more trains in the off high street which include the Crown, Local Crime statistics highlights a small drop in peak enabling customers to get into the Shrewsbury Arms and the Old registered crime by 2 crimes from 2018 to 2019. There the West Midlands from Albrighton. Bush Inn. were cases of violent crime (including sex related The journey time to Birmingham is 38 and to Shrewsbury 36 minutes. 120 RAF Cosford is a major part of the

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s 20 • Operated by West Midlands Trains 0 • Includes 17 spaces 2017 1 20192 3 2018 • 1 disabled space • No EV charging available • £3.00 per day

6 Survey Results

JOURNEY PURPOSE SAFETY AND SECURITY

• 50% of users of the station • The survey showed that What do you use the describe themselves as using the 45% of customers were DID YOU KNOW? train for? train for leisure purposes. unsure if they would feel safe leaving their bike at 92% of people responding 2% • The combined total of customers Commuting the station. to the survey said they 14% 15% using the station for either commuting or business is 29%. • On the whole customers have not experienced any Business form of crime or anti-social 5% This shows that either a lot of have not experienced Leisure the residents work in Albrighton, anti-social behaviour at behaviour at the station. 14% or are accessing work outside of the station except for Education Albrighton by using their car. occasional under age Tourism drinking. 50% Other (please specify): If you drive, where do you park your car?

TRAVEL TO AND FROM THE STATION Station C ar Park 17% • The majority (75%) of customers using the station walked to the On Street (please How do you usually travel to specify) 29% 54% station. Altern ative Lo cation the station? • Driving to the station and parking (please specify) 1% 6% accounted for 12% of the journeys. 6% Wa lk • There was only 1 customer that told us they stored their bike at the How often can you find a parking space? 12% Electric Bicycle station. • There were no customers that travelled using the following 11% All t he t ime 0% Car (parked) 17% modes: bicycle on the train, folding Frequ ently 75% bicycle, electric bike, electric Occasio nal ly vehicle, car share, bus, taxi or 35% 21% Car (drop off) Ra rely motorbike. 16% Ne ver

7 Station Facilities and Regular Services

KEY TRAVEL INFO

• 36 minute journey time to Shrewsbury • 37 minute journey time to Birmingham • First train into Birmingham arrives at 06:40 • Last train out of Birmingham 23:35.

Above: Shewsbury bound platform, showing the footbridge to platform 1. Below: the single means of access to the station via the car park. SERVICE DETAILS Destination and Platform Trains per hour Key Stations Weekday and Sunday daytime Saturday daytime Birmingham 1 1 1 New Street via Wolverhampton Shrewsbury via 2 1 1 Telford Central First train: 05:58 to Birmingham New Street via Wolverhampton Last train: 00:16 to Shrewsbury via Telford

Operated by West Midlands Railway Timetable information: https://www.westmidlandsrailway.co.uk/travel-information/timetables

8 The Headline Opportunities THE STATION

Physical Improvements The A41 which • There are opportunities for improvements to the station forecourt area to reduce the runs adjacent congestion during busy times. There are new road markings on the station car park, to the station however vision is still limited for motorists leaving the station car park because of on provides a street parking. quick 4 minute drive to junction • The plans are currently being progressed to open the second entrance to the station 3 of the M54 taking customers directly onto the Birmingham bound platform. This would make the and towards Birmingham bound platform more accessible for some users. Wolverhampton

• There is an opportunity to better utilise the station buildings for a dual purpose: a There is a high community building and to provide a more comfortable place for customers to wait for quality cycle their train. storage facility at the station, Operational improvements however this is under utilised • There are no planned operational improvements at Albrighton Station.

Integration

• To consider opportunities to introduce a bus service that calls at the station, this The closed would bring the station closer to the town. second entrance to the • As you leave Albrighton Station there is no wayfinding directing customers to the station onto the town, simple wayfinding would make finding the town easier. Birmingham bound platform • The majority of the customers walk to the station, which must mean a lot of people is being using the station live within walking distance. There were no customers that said they reopened. caught the bus to the station, if a bus service was introduced this could increase the distance people travel to access the station.

• There are high quality cycle facilities at the station and these could be promoted.

9 The Headline Opportunities THE SURROUNDING AREA

Last Mile

The pedestrian routes around the station are mostly made up high Towards Towards the M54 quality wide footpaths, dropped kerbs and tactile pavements at Shrewsbury (Telford) key junctions. There are multiple junctions around the station that have tight bends where visibility of oncoming vehicles is limited. Opportunities identified for improvement are as follows:

• Improved way-finding from the station to the town – a map Towards could be created giving information about how to access the Wolverhampton town from the station

• Promoting people in the town to walk to the station

• To advertise the short journey times to Shrewsbury from the station (36 mins) and Birmingham (38 mins) from the station

Beyond the station Towards Wolverhampton Albrighton is a large village with a population of 4,157. This large village and civil parish in Shropshire is located 7.5 miles north-west of Wolverhampton.

Creating an identify for the station that promotes Albrighton as a village, promoting the pleasant pubs, restaurants, churches and parks. There is no current plan to introduce any station staff at Albrighton Station, largely because of the low footfall compared to other stations of its size. It would, however, be feasible to utilise station buildings as a community facility of some description. The train operator could lease this facility at a peppercorn rent and in return railway customers could use the building as a waiting area.

10 OPPORTUNITY PLAN

Station Neighbours Albrighton station is surrounded by mostly residential properties, however also some small businesses, these include: • St Mary’s Nursery Group • St George’s Vets • Keith Gibson Cars Ltd • Next Door Bar • Albrighton Village Hall • Crown • Peckish Café • Aunt Sal’s Tearoom • The Harp Hotel • Albrighton Fish and Chips

Bus stop Improved wayfinding

The station masterplan focuses on the station itself and the opportunities for integration with the station's immediate vicinity. Improved wayfinding will make walking and cycling easier and a bus stop will make a significant difference to the distance people travel to the station. There is an opportunity to have a bus/ community transport stop. There are also opportunities to enhance existing station facilities to improve passenger experience and integration between rail services and the surrounding area. Appropriate management of car parking will aim to alleviate existing capacity issues with current facilities, whilst better connectivity to other transport modes will serve to reduce demand on parking spaces.

11 COMMUNITY INSIGHT A vital component of every ‘Stations as Places’ project is to understand the community perspective and ‘grass roots’ understanding of the station and its surrounding area. To build up a picture we have brought together key community SUPPORTING BUSINESSES – level intelligence and information about Albrighton Station. Importantly, this There is an opportunity for businesses to sponsor community art/ section doesn’t just look at the station itself, but includes facts and figures about facilities at the station. This could be seen by customer passing through social enterprise, start-up businesses, community groups, station adoption and the station and create a sense of destination for Albrighton. other valuable information. COMMUNITY FACILITIES Page content to be agreed. There are two large, but disused buildings at Albrighton Station. These STATION ADOPTION station buildings could be used as community facilities as well as being used as a safe waiting area for rail customers. Albrighton Station is not currently an adopted station, however the local community would certainly benefit from an adopted station.

"Station adoption has been one of the many successes of the community rail movement. More than 1,000 adoption groups have been formed nationwide. As well as engaging thousands of people in volunteering, bringing people together and creating pride in station and community, these groups play a critical role in making their stations welcoming, pleasant and attractive places. Often their work extends beyond basic upkeep, incorporating community gardening and food growing, local arts projects, and workshops and visits with children and young people." Association of Community Rail Partnerships.

ALBRIGHTON STATION AS A COMMUNITY HUB There is an opportunity for the station to be a community hub. The route down Station Road could be installed with community art, greenery and plants. These could all be sponsored by local businesses, schools and other community organisations. This would generate a sense of community and act as wayfinding from the town to the station.

GRANT AVAILABILITY GET INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY RAIL

Albrighton Parish Council were awarded £3,000.00 towards a safer footways To find out more about adopting a station visit scheme through the Customer and Community Interest Fund (CCIF) 2020-21. www.westmidlandsrailway.co.uk/adopt-station There will be more CCIF funding avaliable in the future.

12 Making the Station a better place

How to get more Pedestrian access efficient use of the station • There is limited visibility for customers leaving the station forefront onto Station Road as a result of the cars parked on the surrounding roads. The research shows that • The customers accessing the town from the High Street walk down Station 75% of the customers using Road to access the station. This route is well lit at night, however there the station travel to the are some examples of inconsiderate parking during the week. station on foot. • There is no safe pedestrian access for the station along the Albrighton There are opportunities to By-Pass (A41). make the area around the These challenges offer scope for walking and cycling improvements to station safer for customers improve accessibility to the station: this includes promoting the cycle facilities travelling to the station on at the station and also better wayfinding. Community artwork could also add foot as the roads around the station can have limited visibility. aesthetic value and increase the feeling of community ambience. Over the next 5 years, improvements in the provision of information will significantly improve the passenger experience. This includes Digital Customer Information Screens (DCIS) which will show the carriage numbers and relay more detailed information to the passenger.

Managing car parking demand

There are roughly 17 car parking spaces at Albrighton Station and one disabled space. There were parking charges introduced in September 2019, the cost per day is £3.00 and the annual season ticket price is £290.00.

The station car park is full on weekdays and there is evidence of drivers also parking on Station Road.

There is scope for encouraging more customers to car share to the station by introducing a station lift share scheme. Introducing EV charging points and/or car sharing spaces should also be considered to increase sustainable travel options and encourage sustainable travel.

13 Making the Station a better place DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

Short Term

• To introduce better way-finding from the station the town. • To promote the high quality cycle facilities at the station. • To set-up a friends of Albright Station group. • To sign-up local businesses as station neighbours. • To reinstate the second entrance to the station on the Birmingham bound platform.

Medium Term

• To introduce a local bus stop near the station. • To turn Station Road into a community road with community art. • To use a station building for the dual purpose of a community facility but also a space for customers to wait. • To promote Albrighton as a village destination at the station and on the running-in boards.

Long Term

• To turn the disused buildings at the station into community facilities.

14 OPPORTUNITIES for INVESTMENT

The Stations as Places Prospectus should act as a means of providing an evidence base which can attract funding opportunities and implement quick-win initiatives and measures. To achieve this, continuous stakeholder involvement and collaboration is crucial to develop relationships within the communities that the Stourbridge stations serve. OPTIONS FOR DELIVERY

Section 106 External Funding Match Funding Commercial Revenue Third Party Funding

Section 106 funding can • Shropshire County TBC - work in progress Opportunities for Customer and Communities be secured when a third • Council enterprise Improvement Fund (CCIF). Subject party • Albrighton Town by promoting the to Department for Transport (DFT) development relates Council businesses in Albrighton approvals, West Midlands Trains to the station (in planning • West Midland Trains high street has an annual budget 2020-21 of terms). • Network Rail £1.7million to support schemes that • Rail Heritage Fund are proposed, developed and delivered • The Marches Local by our customers, communities and • Enterprise Partnership stakeholders. This exciting programme • ACoRP Community will run every year for six years. Rail Partnership (to support station National Stations Improvements • adoption) Programme (NSIP)

EASY WINS

Cycle Rail Community and Volunteering resources

As result of the Cycle Rail Fund awarding in 2019, it was announced an extra 2,300 Investment of time from community and enterprise groups such as Cycle spaces to be built at 48 stations across England, enabling commuters to cycle setting up a “Friends of Albrighton Station” and the charity sector, Directly to the station and lock-up their bike securely. e.g. Albrighton Parish Council.

The Cycle Rail Programme has already tripled the number of cycle parking spaces at more than 500 stations, bringing the total to over 80,000. The Cycle Rail programme is a great opportunity to get funding to improve cycling facilities and security around railway stations. 15 ACTION PLAN Making the station a better place - achieving mode change

Action Plan The action plan and targets provide a focus for the Stations as Place prospectus, as a way of measuring whether future schemes have a positive Action Responsibility Timescale impact on sustainable travel. To increase the West Midlands Short to Medium The targets below enable us to review the success of this opportunity distance customers Railway prospectus and if the measures taken have resulted in modal shift and travel to get to the increased economic activity in Albrighton. station. To set-up an engage West Midlands Short to Medium community group at Railway/ Parish the station. Council Targets

To make the station West Midlands Short Year One: 2% customer cycling to the station more accessible Railway/ Parish Year Three: 5% of customers cycling to the station through second Council/ Network Rail Year Five: 10% of customers cycling to the station entrance. The second entrance open by end of year one. To increase West Midlands Medium the numbers of Railway/ Parish To have a Friends of Albrighton station set-up by the end of year one. customers visiting Council Albrighton. A bus service to be in place by the end of year three.

To increase station usage by 30% over 5 years because of customers visiting Albrighton as a destination.

DID YOU KNOW? To turn the station builds into community facilities by year five.

West Midlands Railway can install station running-in board promoting Albrighton as a destination.

16 WHO TO CONTACT AND HOW TO GET INVOLVED

Railways bring people together and there is a powerful historic sense of pride in the railways in the UK. Stations began life as beacons of hope and revival for local communities and when stations are places of welcome, happier & more passengers ensue.

The Stations as Places initiative is designed be open to all.

We really want to engage with organisations of different shapes and sizes. We’d love to hear from developers and their consultant teams about how we can work more closely with you to connect with your development schemes, especially if you are needing people to take the train to ease pressure of the road network and make your development proposals work effectively.

But we’d also love to hear from shopkeepers and other local businesses, from social enterprises and residents groups, and from organisations supporting disabled people and others needing accessibility support. So how to get involved?

You can email [email protected] and one of the team will get back to you!

Contact us if you would like to • Give us feedback about this Prospectus • Flag up an opportunity with your proposed development • Talk to us about how your organisation can get involved

You can also follow progress on Stations as Places at www.wmre.org.uk/stationsalliance