STATIONS AS PLACES Opportunity Prospectus

An integrated vision and delivery masterplan for Wellington Station

WELLINGTON STATION

November 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 Wellington 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 the station and highlights some of the opportunities for commercial development, partnership working, inward investment and community regeneration.

We have included a profile of Wellington station in this document and looked at different types of activity neighbouring the station, from development in the town centre area, to local businesses providing facilities to the travelling public and local authorities using existing assets in different ways.

Wellington is a small town in the borough of Telford and Wrekin, approximately 5 miles to the north west of Telford. Situated on the Shrewsbury to Wolverhampton railway line, the station acts as a link for commuters and leisure trips. The station facilities are adequate, but they could be improved considering recent growth in passenger numbers, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. This Prospectus identifies opportunities for improvements at the station and to further strengthen the role of the station in the community and local economy. Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Reviving our Railway

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused massive economic and social disruption. Rail operation across the country was placed into an Emergency Management Agreement with the Department for Transport, which has now moved into An Emergency Recovery Management Agreement.

We were proud to keep our railways running during the pandemic to serve key workers and allow them to travel safely.

We are now in a phase of reviving our railways and the communities they serve.

There are big new challenges for our Stations as Places Programme: • Passenger numbers will take time to recover. • The way in which station buildings are used has changed. • City, town and local centres will have to reinvent themselves as retailers withdraw and office buildings are less full. • Ways of funding new investment will need to be transform.

Stations as Places will be forward looking and opportunistic. ‘The moment is now’ for stations to harness community spirit, pursue more entrepreneurial ways of using station buildings and support the revitalisation of high streets and local centres. Contents

Chapter Page

Why ‘Stations as Places’ for Wellington Station? 2

Bringing our partners together 3

About Wellington Station 4 - 8

The Headline Opportunities – The Station 9

The Headline Opportunities – The Surrounding Area 10

The Headline Opportunities – Community 11

Opportunity Plan 12

The Headline Opportunities – The Surrounding Area 13

Understanding the Potential for Growth 14 - 15

The Aspiration 16

Development Opportunities 17

Opportunities for Investment 18

Action Plan 19

Who to contact and how to get involved 20

1 Why ‘Stations as Places’ for Wellington Station?

THE VISION Who are the West Midlands Station Alliance? The WMSA is a formal alliancing arrangement between industry partners with a common vision and forward plan, including infrastructure owner Network Rail, station facilities owner Chiltern Railways, operator West Midlands Trains (WMT) and 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.

Why has Wellington Station been selected? Wellington railway station, located on the Shrewsbury to Wolverhampton line, provides an important connection for commuters into Telford, Shrewsbury, Wolverhampton and Birmingham New Street, as well as providing services to the north west and Wales. Passenger numbers are growing, as is the local population, due to local housing development and there are pressures on car parking at the station. As passenger numbers are growing, now is a prime time for Wellington to invest in the station to deliver improvements which would benefit regular users, the local community and businesses in the town. This Prospectus provides an opportunity to engage with the stakeholders of Wellington station to capture the opportunities and commitment to delivering improvements at the station.

The drivers for developing this location Passenger numbers at Wellington increased by 78% between 2008 and 2018. The station car park is full early in the morning on weekdays. It is therefore essential that passengers are encouraged to access the station using more sustainable modes. Increasing footfall around the station presents an opportunity for local businesses to benefit. There is an existing strong community spirit through the Friends of Wellington Station group which will be further nurtured through this Prospectus action plan. Community groups are also proud of the gateway which the station provides for walking and rambling, not least access to the Wrekin, and so the action plan will include leisure-based initiatives.

2 Bringing our Partners together Our stakeholders really matter to us. Stakeholder feedback is key to creating a prospectus that resonates with different audiences and ensures consensus on the future of the station and surrounding area. We want to ensure that what we collect and receive is representative and inclusive. Our approach to capturing local insights in Wellington covers the following four dimensions:

LOCAL PERSPECTIVE SOCIAL VALUE Railways stations should reflect and cater for the Transforming a railway station from a ‘passenger local community to which it serves thoroughfare’ into a genuine community asset will To help shape the future of the station to meet the needs have a positive impact on the local community of the local community, involving them in the planning Residents and businesses are more likely to take process is critical. Community involvement helps to ownership of their local station if it is a pleasant and safe make a station a more attractive and valuable community place to be, meets their needs and represents local asset. Stations as Places aims to establish strong links people and heritage. A railway station as a valued between the station management and businesses, the community hub can offer a real contribution to improving community and other local stakeholders, ensuring that social inclusion and mental wellbeing; from promoting the voice of the community is heard. inclusivity through access improvements or simply making waiting as a part of a morning commute more pleasant.

LEGACY COMMUNITY An important objective of Stations as Places is to A railway station is often a great asset to a provide a long-term legacy by establishing integration community, but a community can also be a great and community involvement at the heart of the station. asset to a railway station This will involve the community taking a level of ownership There is room to grow community involvement and of the stations and passing this onto the future generations enthusiasm for the station. A station which is integrated to keep each station a valuable part of the local with the local community shows that people care and that community. Of course, Network Rail, West Midlands they have something to be proud of, improving social Trains and the Local Government will also have an inclusion and mental wellbeing whilst making the station important role in the legacy of the station and that is why a more pleasant place to be. The Friends of Wellington partnership working between the community and these Station group will continue to be nurtured as a organisations is so important. community asset.

3 ABOUT WELLINGTON STATION

Key Facts The station is situated in the centre of Wellington, located on Station Road. Wellington is a small market town, located approximately 5 miles north west of central Telford.

Station Typology Wellington is a local gateway station, serving the town and surrounding area. The passenger catchment area of the station is potentially widened by railheading from the Oakengates side of Wellington to take advantage of the car parking at Wellington Station and the more frequent rail service than at Oakengates station. The station is served by West Midlands Trains and Transport for Wales. Avanti West Coast provides one direct service to London Euston per day. The station lies on the former Great Western Railway's London Paddington to Birkenhead via Birmingham Snow Hill line and has two platforms.

Originally, during the peak operation of the station, 5 platforms were in service. Two platforms were removed, leaving 2 through platforms and 1 terminus/ bay platform in use. Passenger services run on the remaining through platforms, Platforms 1 and 2.

Did you know? The Wrekin, one of Shropshire's most famous landmarks, is the most northern part of The Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Located just 2.5 miles from Wellington station, it attracts tens of thousands of walkers and cyclists to the town every year.

4 ABOUT WELLINGTON STATION - Station Lease Plan

Land within the blue line boundary is leased by Network Rail to West Midlands Railway (WMR). West Midlands Railway is required to meet lease holder conditions on behalf of the landlord, Network Rail. This comprises of maintenance and enhancements to station areas, including the station buildings, platforms and facilities. The car park does not fall within the station boundary and is operated by Telford and Wrekin Council.

5 ABOUT WELLINGTON STATION - Service and Timetables

Wellington station is served by two main operators – West Midlands Trains and Transport for Wales. Avanti West Coast operates one direct service from Wellington to London Euston per day. Service details • Wellington is served by three trains per hour during the daytime, each way between Birmingham New Street (via Wolverhampton) and Shrewsbury. West Midlands Railway operates a service of two trains per hour in each direction (Monday-Sunday), westbound to Shrewsbury and eastbound to Wolverhampton and Birmingham New Street.

• Transport for Wales operates one train per hour in each direction from Wellington. Eastbound to Wolverhampton, Birmingham New Street and Birmingham International. Westbound to Shrewsbury and then on to Aberystwyth and Pwllheli or Holyhead via Chester.

• Avanti West Coast runs one direct service per day to / from Wellington and London Euston. Timetables • https://www.westmidlandsrailway.co.uk/travel-information/timetables • https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/travel-information/timetables • https://tfwrail.wales/december-2019-timetables

6 ABOUT WELLINGTON STATION - Station Layout and Facilities

Wellington station currently provides adequate facilities for passengers including a staffed ticket hall and well used cycle parking, however there are vacant parts of the station buildings. Improving the facilities and station environment is likely to increase passenger numbers and enhance customer experience.

Station Facilities Automated ticket machine on Platform 1

Staffed ticket counter

Help point

Bicycle storage

Car park

Toilets

7 ABOUT WELLINGTON STATION - What do we know?

PASSENGERS CAR PARKING AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT, WALKING AND 693,438 IN 2017/18 ACCESSIBILITY CYCLINGACCESS STATION FOOTFALL • 109 non-chargeable car parking • Footfall rose by 4% from 2016/17 to spaces are available, as well as 7 • 4 basic cycle racks are provided in the car park 2017/18. Despite challenges posed accessible parking bays. with capacity for a maximum of 8 bicycles. by COVID-19, this is expected to • An accessible toilet with RADAR Capacity for a further 18 bicycles on a two-tier continue rising after a recovery key is located on Platform 2. covered bicycle rack are provided on Platform 2. period • Access from both the entrance on • The long-distance National Cycle Route 81 is (ORR data) Station Road and the entrance via located directly east of the station on Victoria the car park are both step free, Road, which provides cycling connectivity to however there is no lift currently in Telford via National Cycle Route 55. place providing access between • The bus station is located outside the station STATION FACILITIES platforms. Crossing between entrance on The Parade. Buses serve Telford • Accessible automated ticket machine platforms would require Town Centre, Madeley, Leegomery, Shrewsbury located on Platform 1 only, a staffed passengers with reduced mobility and High Ercall. Ticket Hall is located on Platform 2 with to make a detour of over 600m on varying opening hours. footpaths with significant • Customer information screens and gradients via Victoria Road, The announcements are provided on all Parade and Station Road. platforms. • Toilets are provided on Platform 2.

CRIME & SAFETY • 6 crimes were reported to British Transport Police LOCAL ACTIVITIES at the station in 2019-20, reducing by 50% from 12 • Located within walking/cycling distance of Wellington station is the main town crimes in 2018-19. centre, providing a range of shopping, food and drink and leisure venues. • Though the station itself feels relatively safe, a • Two new housing developments are currently under construction, one 3.1 number of violent crimes were reported to West miles west of the station, the other 1.6 miles north of the station. The Mercia police on Station Road, making surveillance developments will bring a total of 970 new homes to the town. outside the station and improved lighting a priority.

8 The Headline Opportunities THE STATION

Physical Improvements

Accessibility Improvements: Access for All funding has been granted by Network Rail to Wellington station to provide a passenger lift between the existing platforms. Currently, there are no facilities for less mobile passengers who wish to interchange between platforms, or for those arriving on Platform 1 that would like to head into the town centre. To cross between platforms, passengers with reduced mobility are required to make a detour of over 600m on footpaths with significant gradients via Victoria Road, The Parade and Station Road. There is Repainting required of station canopy also a significant level difference between the railway station and the bus station, making interchange difficult via steep, narrow steps. There is scope for the Access for All funding to also provide level access between the two, improving interchange for passengers and improving connectivity between the station and the town centre.

Enhanced Facilities: The station building is a heritage asset and is relatively well maintained with attractive planters. However, there are currently vacant commercial premises within the station building. Finding a tenant for these premises would not only improve the facilities available to passengers, but would provide commercial income for the station. In order to attract commercial enterprises, significant restoration work is required in some of the station buildings. Some repainting of the platform canopies is required, and planting provided by the Friends of Disused station facilities Wellington group could be expanded. The currently unused Platform 3 would make a great location for a small station garden (The ‘Secret Garden’), improving the appearance of the station and making it a more pleasant environment for passengers. The ‘Pride in Wellington Station’ scheme, detailed on page 11, will go some way to achieving these opportunities.

Safety: Though few crimes were reported at the station itself, a number of violent or sexual offences were committed on Station Road in 2019 (16 offences between January and July 2019), as well as some reports of drug use/dealing and 9 incidences of anti-social behavior. Improving lighting and surveillance on Station Road, which does feel separate from the town centre and benefits from very little natural surveillance, would improve perceptions of the station and safety, particularly in low light. Additionally, locking the station overnight would Bridge with no access for users reduce vandalism and anti-social behavior. with reduced mobility

9 The Headline Opportunities THE SURROUNDING AREA

Operational improvements Future introduction of longer new diesel trains on the route which will increase capacity for customers, Midlands Connect is undertaking a study on the case for significant capacity improvements to the line to accommodate future growth in demand, including track improvements and line electrification. This is a longer-term aspiration.

Integration For the benefit of the community and its station, it is fundamental to enhance travel choice and connectivity to local development and centers. Funding could be levied from developers in order to enhance existing walking and cycling infrastructure, whilst travel planning engagement and information resources can increase awareness of sustainable modes to rail users and local residents. It would be particularly beneficial to increase integration between bus and rail travel in Wellington, considering the proximity of the bus station, although with the differences in levels between the rail and bus station this may prove difficult without Unsecured cycle storage facilities significant improvement to accessibility between the two. Improved wayfinding to the bus station could be installed and a longer-term goal would be to improve the currently steep, old steps providing access between the two, making the interchange more appealing and accessible. The Pride in Wellington Station scheme will go some way to improving this accessibility in the short term.

Disused station facilities Potential Station Neighbours Wellington station is surrounded by a mixture of residential and commercial land uses, offering multiple potential business neighbours. The Station Hotel and Bar is located directly outside the station entrance. Also located nearby are The Orbit cinema, the historic Wellington Indoor Market, The Steaming Mug Coffee House, The Lych Gate Church and multiple shops in the charity sector, as well as chain retailers such as Greggs and Subway. The currently vacant station buildings also provide vast scope to foster Poor wayfinding to Bus Station community links through offering space to community groups and local enterprise.

10 The Headline Opportunities COMMUNITY

Customers and Communities Improvement Fund (CCIF) The CCIF is a fund provided specifically to support projects which bring tangible benefits to our stations, our communities and our neighbourhoods, addressing regeneration challenges and tackling social needs. Perhaps the most exciting part of CCIF, is that the ideas for these projects come from the community. If you have an idea which fits the ethos of ‘for the community, by the community’, then you are eligible to apply. Wellington station successfully bid for funding from CCIF for two projects:

‘Pride in Wellington Station’ • Improve accessibility of steps from the bus station to the railway station; Expand on existing walking trails through • Install refillable water points on the platforms; ‘Walking with Giants’ funding • Use the large area of land alongside an unused platform to create a Secret Garden, a haven for wildlife and biodiversity and a quiet space for passengers and town centre users alike • Install colourful welcoming floral and art displays and year-round growing herbs and vegetables as part of the Incredible Edible movement. The mural art project will be undertaken by students; • Promote walking and cycling routes while creating on platform meeting space for community use.

‘Walking with Giants’ Create and publicise community walks from the station and raise awareness to this station as the place where Philip Larkin (poet and novelist) first alighted on arrival in the town for the job interview which he said determined the course of his life. Create a free 20-page walking trail booklet tracing the town's literary connections for passengers and local people.

11 OPPORTUNITY PLAN

The opportunity plan focuses on the station itself. There are opportunities to enhance existing station facilities to improve passenger experience and integration between rail services and the surrounding area.

Explore potential for links with Station neighbours, such as The Orbit Cinema

Improve cycle parking availability and/or quality in the car park

Aesthetic improvements to the platform including repainting of the platform canopy ends

Deliver committed CCIF schemes, including ‘Secret Garden’

Install platform lifts as part of Access for All improvements

Utilise empty station buildings

12 The Headline Opportunities THE SURROUNDING AREA

‘Last Mile’: Wider connectivity improvements Pedestrian routes within the last mile of the station are generally of a good standard with wide footways, dropped kerbs at junctions and lighting. The town centre, focused on New Street, is a pleasant pedestrianized environment with planters and bunting. However, access to the town centre from the station suffers from poor wayfinding and the quickest route is via steep, old steps, cutting through The Parade. Improvements to the pedestrian connectivity between Wellington station, the town centre and the bus station, particularly through improved wayfinding, is a key opportunity for improving station connectivity. Improving cycle connections between the station and National Cycle Route 81 is also an important opportunity. Beyond the Station The surrounding area is steeped in history; the popular tourist destination of Ironbridge Gorge is located approximately 5 miles away, along with Ironbridge town which is a terminus of the Severn Valley Railway. Shropshire is a mostly rural county and is home to the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (including The Wrekin) and Wenlock Edge Site of Special Scientific Interest. There is an extensive public rights of way network in Shropshire opening up the countryside to residents and visitors.

Improving wayfinding between Improved station National Cycle Integration of WMT Developer Targeted the railway station and town access to the Bus Route 81 runs travel contributions for personalised travel centre, including improved Station on Station between initiatives with improving last mile planning at new lighting and surveillance on Road, currently via Wolverhampton employer and connectivity and 'at housing Station Road. steep steps and Aberystwyth school travel plans station' facilities developments

13 Understanding the POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH

New Developments in Wellington Significant housing development is planned for 540 new homes at the former Maxell factory site, next to Apley Woods, just off the A442. The site, known as Lime Tree Walk, is located 1.6 miles to the north of Wellington station.

As of July 2020, work began on the former British Sugar factory site near Allscott. The new development, known as Allscott Meads, will see a total of 470 new homes delivered as well as a new primary school. The site is located 3.1 miles to the west of Wellington station.

In addition to these significant housing developments, a Lime Tree Walk further 289 homes are being delivered at Haygate Fields Picture courtesy of Kier (0.9 miles south west of the station) and at the former Charlton School site (1.2 miles north of the station).

Each of the new developments could provide a significant uplift in passenger numbers at the station and encouraging sustainable travel, through targeted personalised travel planning at the new housing developments, will be important given the parking capacity constraints currently seen at the station.

The station itself is continuing to see a growth in passenger numbers, rising by 4% from 2016/17 to 2017/18. The subsequent increase in housing demand further makes the Allscott Meads case for improving the station environment and facilities. Picture courtesy of SJ Roberts

14 THE ASPIRATION the place we want it to be

“It is essential that the café and the Tourist Information Hub are reopened as quickly as possible. The other unused rooms on Platforms 1 & 2 need to be renovated and brought back into use as quickly as possible in order to attract the public to the station throughout the day”

Wellington Walkers Are Welcome

“Wellington is a pleasant market town and Gateway to the Wrekin. The station has great historic features, but would benefit from investment to improve accessibility and facilities for customers. The community spirit is strong and the Prospectus will ensure that this great community work continues”

Tom Painter, Head of Rail Franchising and Partnerships, West Midlands Rail Executive

15 THE ASPIRATION the place we want it to be

“Wellington railway station is an important gateway to the market town of Wellington. Passenger numbers have been steadily increasing each year. There is an active Friends of Wellington Station group, which have supported in making numerous enhancements to the station. The station is also set to benefit from the DFT’s Access for All funding, which will improve accessibility at the station. This is an exciting time for the station as the prospectus brings together the various projects and stakeholders to support the investment and growth of the station”

Cllr David Wright, Cabinet Member for Economy, Housing, Transport & Infrastructure

“Wellington station plays a vital role as a communications lifeline in the town of Wellington. Attracting new businesses to relocate and helping Wellington’s town centre to connect with the UK is fundamental. The Friends of the Station help to make the experience for users informative and pleasant – from signposting walkers to the mighty Wrekin to providing fresh herb beds for commuters. Future plans include a craft brewery taking over a disused waiting room”

Friends of Wellington Station

16 DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES Large Scale Options • High quality and sustainable ‘last mile’ connections supported by new/ improved infrastructure. • Provide new passenger lifts to provide step free access between the platforms (Access for All funding). • Improve the stepped access to the Bus Station, which is currently steep and narrow. • Better integration for walking and cycling within the town centre and to key assets/destinations and surrounding residential areas. Medium Scale Options • Installation of improved wayfinding to key assets/destinations, including the Town Centre and Bus Station. • Improve CCTV and security on Station Road to increase feeling of safety, particularly in lower light. • Improve existing link with The Wrekin shown on the ‘Wellington for Walkers’ board through installation of artwork or painting. • Investigate potential to fill vacant station premises with a commercial entity (e.g. coffee shop) or community use. • Provision of Electric Vehicle charging points in station car park (Telford & Wrekin Council as car park owner). • Installation of wi-fi throughout the station to improve customer experience. Small Scale Options and Quick Wins • Complete aesthetic improvements to the station, including repainting of canopy ends. • Reinvigorate ‘Friends of Wellington’ group. Instil a culture of stewardship at the station. • Deliver the two successfully awarded CSIF schemes. ‘Walking with Giants’ and ‘Pride in Wellington Station’ (please see page 10 for details). • Promote connectivity via National Cycle Route 81 through cycling events (eg. Dr Bike), seizing opportunity presented by Covid-19, and engage with developers at new housing developments as well as local cycling groups. • Investigate provision of community rail discount card at local businesses and pursue local links with station neighbours. • Lock/secure the station after the last service to prevent anti-social behavior on platforms overnight.

17 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 Wellington station serves.

Options for Delivery

External Funding Section 106 Commercial Third Party Funding Funding can Opportunities • Customer and Communities Improvement Fund • Telford and Wrekin Council (CCIF). Subject to DfT approvals, West Midlands • West Midlands Trains be secured There is potential Trains has an annual budget of £1.7million to • Transport for Wales when a third- for commercial support schemes that are proposed, developed • Network Rail party enterprise in and delivered by our customers, communities and • The Marches LEP development vacant premises stakeholders. Wellington Station has received two • Department for Transport relates to the station (in at the station (i.e. successful CCIF awards in 2020. planning terms). a station café) • National Stations Improvements Programme (NSIP).

Easy Wins

Access for All: Community and Volunteering resources: Network Rail has awarded Wellington Station Access for Investment of time from community and enterprise All funding to create step free access, in the form of lifts groups such as the “Friends of Wellington Station” between platforms 1 and 2. This is currently in planning group and engaging with the charity sector (e.g. phase, with a completion programme by 2024. local charity shops in the town centre). Links with the 2020 CSIF awards – ‘Pride in Wellington Station’ and ‘Walking with Giants’.

18 Action Plan Making the station a better place and achieving mode shift

The action plan and targets provide a focus for the Stations as Places prospectus, as a way of measuring whether future schemes have a positive impact on sustainable travel. The targets below enable us to review the success of this opportunity prospectus and if the measures taken have resulted in improved sustainable access to the station, continued and enhanced community involvement and a complement to other capital improvements, not least the station forecourt improvement scheme.

Action Responsibility Timescale Targets Reinvigorate the Friends of Wellington Station group through activities at the station such as Year 1: planting and painting, provide storage for the Friends at the station • West Midlands Short to • Reinvigorate ‘Friends of Wellington Station’ Railway Medium and CCIF projects. Deliver two successful CSIF project awards - Pride in Wellington Station’ and ‘Walking with • Deliver ‘quick win’ station improvements Giants’ including canopy repainting.

Deliver ‘quick win’ improvements at the station • West Midlands Short to Years 2 - 4: – including repainting of the canopy Station Alliance Medium • Increase passenger numbers by capturing a rail market from housing, employment and To increase passenger use through local • West Midlands Medium to retail growth (post Covid-19 recovery). housing, employment and retail growth (post Railway Long Covid-19 recovery) • Explore potential to fill vacant commercial premises at the station.

Year 4: Deliver longer term schemes – Completion of • West Midlands Access for All improvements, delivering lift Station Alliance Long • Improve accessibility of the station by access between platforms and reprofiling the delivering passenger lifts between platforms. use of vacant buildings on platform 2 • Network Rail

19 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 and more passengers ensue.

This prospectus presents information on the challenges and opportunities at Wellington station as expressed by different members of the local community. This evidence has been used to inform a set of objectives and a list of actions defined during the course of the study which will help to prioritise future investment at the station and within the local area. We hope you enjoyed the journey.

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

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