PROGRESS REPORT Published February 2019 Linking local communities with the rail industry To Cardiff Gloucester To

Severn Pilning To Cardiff Beach Welcome to the Severnside Community Yate Rail Partnership’s 2019 Progress Report Patchway To Swindon To Swindon Cam & Dursley St Andrew’s Road The Severnside Community Rail Partnership Our rail familiarisation programme for year-six To is the link between local communities and the primary school pupils is designed to ensure Parkway Cardiff Abbey rail industry. We cover the network of routes those attending a school within walking Wood radiating from Bristol, bounded by Gloucester, distance of a station experience at least one Sea Mills Bath/Freshford, Weston-super-Mare, Taunton, rail journey so they have confidence to use the Pilning and the Severn Estuary; this includes the local railway independently, as they progress Shirehampton Montpelier Severn Yate To Swindon branch line to . to secondary school. We also negotiated an Redland Stapleton Road Beach innovative, low cost season ticket scheme for Bristol Parkway We work with local communities and a range of some secondary school pupils. Bristol Lawrence Hill partners to Toidentify andSwindon implement measures to Bristol Temple Meads To Swindon ensure that access to local stations is easy and A top prize-winning Partnership Temple Meads that stations are safe and welcoming. Many of our schemes have won Awards – Parson Street Bedminster Nailsea & Keynsham We have sponsored, organised and arranged Backwell and last October the Partnership’s work was Yatton Oldfield Park funding packages for community-based recognised nationally when we received the Worle Bath Spa improvements at over half the local stations. top award for our “Outstanding Contribution Western Freshford To Westbury & These include a complete rebuild of Severn to Community Rail”. Milton Western- Southampton Beach station – the first and, Super-MareKeynsham so far the only, local station in the West of England to have been completely rebuilt. Highbridge We recently developed and & Burnham implemented, with the local Oldfield Park community, a plan and funding package for a comprehensive Bridgwater improvement of Avonmouth Bath Spa station, transforming a derelict eyesore, and run To Reading down environment, with new Freshford facilities and a community To garden – which will play a part Taunton Supported by presenting a more attractive public transport entrance to the Enterprise Area. Both these major schemes were delivered on time The Partnership is a Community Interest and below budget. Other local stations have Company. The running costs of the Part- been transformed, considerably assisted – nership, including the post of Partnership Our principal funders and sponsors on a voluntary basis – by young people and Manager, receive significant funding by way local communities. Schools display their of grants from , Cross artwork on the platforms and community Country Trains and local authorities. Without groups tend the gardens, many of which have their support and encouragement, we could received “outstanding” in the RHS It’s Your not operate and deliver the considerable Neighbourhood Awards. benefits which are being achieved. Under As well as station-based schemes, our Great Western and Cross Country Franchise emphasis is also on improving social arrangements, there has been a much wel- Severnside Community Chairman: Keith Walton inclusivity and access to the local railway, comed increase in funding for specific Com- Rail Partnership c.i.c Email: [email protected] Tel: 07740047812 including facilitating free-of-charge rail visits munity Rail projects, and this is supplemented c/o GWR, Temple Meads Station, Partnership Officer: Heather Cullimore for disadvantaged communities. Special by bids for specific grants from local authority Bristol, BS1 6QF Email: [email protected] Tel: 07795562311 events are also held on trains for hard-to-reach and other sources. www.severnside-rail.org.uk groups. During the journey, participants are encouraged to socialise and participate in an Severnside Community severnsidecommunityrailpartnership @SevernsideCRP activity such as creative artwork. Keith Walton, Chairman 2 Rail Partnership 2 3 Some of the Partnership’s Achievements in 2017

Safer & More Welcoming Local Partnership’s region and included clearance of The rail transformation programme 2018 Bristol. Launched during Bristol Walk Fest in Stations vegetation, horticultural activity, litter picking saw an unprecedented number of temporary May 2018, the programme is open to all and and support to volunteer groups entering the line closures. Cotham School students rounded off with a visit to Yatton on a sunny The Severnside Community Rail Partnership It’s Your Neighbourhood Award competition. turned communications experts scripting October Sunday. has a tradition of successfully engaging and starring in a film informing passengers schools, community groups and individual Incredible Edible how to use rail replacement buses. The film Supporting the Local Economy volunteers in projects to enhance their local amassed substantial views across social Our partnership with Incredible Edible The Partnership encourages enterprise at local stations, ensuring their stations provide both media platforms and YouTube. Designed for Bristol is now in its fourth year and brings stations and is proud of the small businesses a welcoming environment for passengers and a teenage audience a volunteer working party to tend station operating from station buildings at Yatton an attractive gateway to the neighbourhood. but equally relevant planters each month. Everyone is welcome and Redland. We were pleased to support for adults, it was also and the working parties create a very local traders by funding poster cases and the It’s Your Neighbourhood Scheme used as a training friendly, diverse group of volunteers which printing of maps to promote local Business tool for GWR, NR and Voluntary groups tending gardens at Yatton frequently includes students studying at Improvement Districts. agency staff assigned and Oldfield Park stations, along with the the local universities. Produce grown in the to supporting whole of the Severn Beach line, were thrilled designated edible station planters is available passengers to retain a much deserved “Outstanding” to the whole community – be it local resident Awards Success during periods status in the Royal Horticultural Society or commuter - to pick and enjoy. It’s Your Neighbourhood Award Scheme of rail replacement. January brought award success at the which recognises Community participation, youtube.com/ Business Awards with environmental responsibility and gardening Involving Young People watch?v=3WxZIcnQIEo our Partnership with GWR and Cotham achievement. Every station’s volunteers Bold community art schemes at local stations Under funding from A Forgotten Landscape School winning the Safety and Security must be applauded for their contribution and are nothing new and it has been long proven Heritage Lottery funded project and the Excellence Category. commitment throughout the summer of 2018 that where quality art is installed it deters Partnership, the 63rd The Association of Community Rail which will be remembered for being one of mindless graffiti tagging. In March 2018 Bristol Scouts took a Partnerships’ annual award ceremony the hottest on record. Tremendous community we embarked on our most ambitious art journey of discovery held on Glasgow brought further efforts ensured plants were watered regularly scheme to date – a mural covering a 50 metre along the Severn Beach recognition with the “Fearless” and not lost to the drought. long wall on the approach to Montpelier line and recorded their Montpelier Mural winning first place station. Incorporating ideas received during findings. The in the Community Art Schemes a community consultation, the design film promotes (permanent) category. We took by Bristol artist Silent Hobo reflects the the line the second prize in the Involving neighbourhood, its flora and fauna and carries beautifully Young People category for the the Crimestoppers charity “Fearless” logo. and the Scouts’ Cotham School Rail Replacement Students from the Kingsweston campus efforts were youtube.com/ Film and also second prize in the of City of Bristol College and pupils from rewarded with an watch?v=lWaWJh0nF6E Best Community Engagement Dolphin Primary school received a street Entertainer badge. art masterclass and contributed to actual Category for ‘On the Move Events’. painting. The art and landscape integration is Walking for Health Furthermore, the Severnisde impressive and the mural Community Rail Partnership was Community Payback Our “walks from the rail” programme offers a widely praised. announced the overall winner receiving Local stations benefit from offenders change of scene and great company. Groups the “Outstanding Contribution to spending their unpaid work hours improving Scan QR code or visit of up to 20 walkers enjoy guided walks led Community Rail Award” with the youtube.com/ the station environment. A qualified by qualified Walking for Health leaders. The judges acknowledging the efforts supervisor, employed by the Partnership, watch?v=NQ8AJDVsjOE package includes rail travel from Bristol to watch of the whole team in creating safer, brings small groups of offenders to local Temple Meads to either Severn Beach, the film. more pleasant and welcoming station stations once a week. The 2018 community Yatton or Bradford-on-Avon for a scenic environments and ‘community friendly’ payback programme covered stations gentle walk and an opportunity to visit local railways lines for passengers. across the five local authorities within the cafes to refuel before taking the train back to 4 5 On Train Events

A Communitea party raise Throughout 2018 the Partnership has as having space capacity. Each event awareness of the Crimestoppers hosted a number of special events on trains is delivered in partnership with another charity’s 30th anniversary of in service on local routes. One of several community organisation enabling a greater harnessing the public with a initiatives developed to highlight our socially understanding of the needs of participants mechanism to report crime inclusive railway, the events take place on and yielding some excellent cross-promotion. anonymously and without specially selected off Feedback confirms the events programme fear of re-percussion. The peak services identified has encouraged people from across the afternoon tea arrangement region to connect or re-connect with the saw possibly the best dressed railway when they might not have otherwise carriage ever witnessed on a been motivated to travel by train. cl166 turbo! Food events are The 2018 event programme kicked off in a popular draw to passengers and Bristol January with an arts workshop delivered Food Connections Week brought many in collaboration with Bristol Women’s Voice for a Healthy Breakfast Give Away, an to mark the 100 years of women’s vote. afternoon tea and a toddler takeover Creations produced during the on-train picnic – each serving locally produced food workshop featured in the city’s Suffrage and drink while on the move. Centenary Lantern Parade.

We twice brought music to The following month sixth form students When I Grow Up campaign passengers’ ears during the from Colston’s Girls’ school brought their to the train. The project is part summer. As part of Action of a Community Apprentice on Dementia Week Singing Scheme run by the Envision for the Brain on the Train charity and supported by GWR. gave 20 dementia patients Students engaged passengers and their families and carers by facilitating discussions an opportunity to enjoy a around what each individual wants, or sing along while travelling up wanted, to be when they grow up, leading and down the branch line to onto conversations Bristol Temple Meads. On about challenging International Making Music day gender stereotypes 2018 the traveling public were in the workplace. entertained by West Country band Up the Folk.

April saw the first (as far as we know) diverse groups, local volunteers became Human Library on a train. In line with the human books, lending themselves out international scheme designed to challenge to passengers for conversations about Link Age run a busy prejudice against social contact among their chosen subject during the journey. programme designed to Undoubtedly the major draw from the combat loneliness and bring eclectic catalogue were popular Bristolian Games on the Train to the stars of Channel 4 Gogglebox Mary and Severn Beach line every other Marina who raised many a smile sharing month. During the journey participants play their knowledge of local history with a game or two of bingo or cards, but most characteristic cheek; Darren Jones MP and importantly enjoy a cup of tea, a chat and a Robot Engineer Steve Bullock change of scenery. were also in high demand.

6 7 Passenger Statistics Looking Ahead to our work in 2019

Passengers using West of England area Office of Rail and Road station usage local stations on weekdays statistics The Partnership welcomes the ’s new Community Rail Development Strategy, launched in November 2018. Our varied programme of Station 2007 2016 2017 West of England 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 Yate 694 1446 1400 Avonmouth 129,860 144,110 123,932 activities fits the core pillars of the Strategy, with emphasis on:- Patchway 139 344 410 Bath Spa 6,134,318 6,432,334 6,395,694 Filton Abbey Wood 1958 4764 4707 Bedminster 92,868 93,744 91,822 Providing a Voice for the Community A comprehensive improvement package Bristol Parkway 2,511,016 2,499,246 2,324,808 to improve the environs of Stapleton Road Bedminster 156 250 356 Arranging Passenger Forums for key routes Bristol Temple Meads 10,711,464 11,336,806 11,350,146 station under Community Parson Street 108 528 550 across the region, to include the participation Clifton Down 672,386 764,192 692,122 Infrastructure Levy funding, with the Nailsea and Backwell 1315 2015 1970 of representatives from Train Operating Filton Abbey Wood 1,021,550 1,064,634 1,047,756 involvement of the business and residential Yatton 1192 1494 1797 Companies, , and Passenger Freshford 43,160 45,468 44,732 communities surrounding the station. Worle 841 1650 1677 Focus, local Councillors, rail user groups and Keynsham 424,032 472,630 454,164 Weston Milton 261 407 *407 wider community groups. Lawrence Hill 157,912 170,084 151,626 Weston-s-Mare 2279 2828 3066 Montpelier 122,146 111,540 102,004 Keynsham 839 1679 1654 Nailsea & Backwell 476,618 504,048 507,296 Promoting Sustainable Healthy Travel Oldfield Park 841 1457 1301 Oldfield Park 315,070 313,230 305,390 Facilitating rail familiarisation visits for Freshford 89 167 162 Parson Street 126,636 145,608 138,996 primary school pupil pupils, and hosting Patchway 98,296 88,008 110,632 student rail representative groups from local Severn Beach 135 355 347 Pilning 46 230 478 secondary schools. St Andrews Road 30 79 81 Redland 99,732 94,454 88,876 Avonmouth 218 728 695 Sea Mills 61,696 62,162 54,484 Walks from the Railway programme led by Shirehampton 86 481 447 Severn Beach 260,784 310,818 292,044 qualified Walking for Health leaders, including Sea Mills 121 371 349 Shirehampton 56,756 55,762 48,700 the mapping of accessible routes from key Clifton Down 500 2111 2016 St.Andrew's Road 7,374 6,522 5,516 stations. Redland 264 661 559 Stapleton Road 179,872 183,780 179,780 Montpelier 253 1138 1043 Weston Milton 65,450 68,594 71,900 Linking with groups to enhance walking and Stapleton Road sb 326 877 973 Weston-Super-Mare 1,143,152 1,147,152 1,145,068 cycling routes to stations and improving cycle Lawrence Hill sb 263 870 785 Worle 299,014 321,306 322,548 facilities at stations. Temple Meads sb 649 2589 2473 Yate 368,910 392,910 385,182 Celebrating key milestones including the Severn Beach line trains 2845 10260 9768 Yatton 426,246 443,806 469,210 total Bringing Communities Together, 90th anniversary of passenger service from Total - West of England 26,006,364 27,277,840 26,904,906 Supporting Diversity and Inclusion Oldfield Park station and 20 years of support Stapleton Road nsb 91 503 618 Note: The Severn Beach line has zonal fares, so individual from the Friends of Yatton Station. Lawrence Hill nsb 49 608 613 station recorded figures may not be correct. Figures above The continuation of the successful “On Stations - Temple Meads 2985 11371 10999 are from ORR station usage, based on ticket sales allocated the Move” Community Events programme LENNON data. Delivering a range of community art schemes - Severn Beach: linking with a variety of external organisations at station across the region. all trains Wiltshire (selected) and local and national events. On train events Notes: the figures above are taken from the November Avoncliff 19,948 21,016 20,519 are designed to promote the local railway weekday count, which was undertaken annually by the as being socially inclusive and to provide Supporting Social and Economic West of England local authorities until 2017, and is a one-day Bradford-On-Avon 524,180 543,246 525,968 snapshot of the total number of passengers both boarding Chippenham 1,815,922 1,938,692 1,890,896 opportunities for connecting with people Development and alighting at the station on the day of the count. No local Trowbridge 902,966 983,704 930,134 experiencing loneliness. Attending Train Operator timetabling authority count was carried out in 2018, apart from at Severn Beach line stations, but the results are not available at the Westbury 544,244 578,256 569,372 meetings to highlight gaps in the timetable date of printing this Report. Once available they will be Encouraging volunteer station adoption and helping ensure local services meet the included in the pdf version of the Report. Somerset (selected) groups to actively invite participation from needs of districts experiencing economic and Bridgwater 312,292 344,290 346,450 nsb = not Severn Beach line Passengers all sections of their local community. residential growth. Highbridge & Burnham 193,462 200,196 207,186 Encouraging local station entries to the Royal sb = Severn Beach line passengers Taunton 1,375,546 1,433,160 1,460,750 Horticultural Society It’s Your Neighbourhood Promoting days out by train, including visits to Awards Scheme. * = fault with camera - previous year figures used Gloucestershire (selected) local attractions, places of interest, business Cam & Dursley 193,640 201,188 188,918 improvement districts and places to eat. Cheltenham Spa 2,178,472 2,352,712 2,430,434 Gloucester 1,435,698 1,479,538 1,477,988 8 9 Accounts and Financial statement Severnside Community Rail Partnership

Year ended 31 March 2018 - Year ended 31 March 2018 - Year ended 31 March 2018 - Income and Expenditure information Balance Sheet Profit and Loss Account £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ 2018 2017 2018 2017 2017-18 2017-18 2017-18 2016-17 Income Restricted Unrestricted Total Total Fixed Assets Turnover 94,725 106,840 Contributions from partners - 50,000 50,000 50,000 Administration Expense (98,343) (102,918) Current assets Miscellaneous 17,178 17,178 10,250 Cash at bank and in hand 34,443 37,904 Operating Profit / (Loss) (3,618) 3,922 GWR 20,622 20,622 21,200 34,443 37,904 Interest Receivable 2 3 Avonmouth DCRDF Grant - 20,000 Severn Beach Heritage Arts Project - 3,250 Creditors: Profit / (Loss) on Ordinary (3,616) 3,925 Activities Before Taxation Arts Council City to Seaside 640 (874) (719) Amounts falling Montpelier 204 - 204 due within one year Corporation Tax - - Keynsham 221 221 Net Assets 33,569 37,185 Retained Profit 37,185 33,260 Brought Forward Severn Beach Line General 5,000 5,000 Total Assets less Current 33,569 37,185 Somerset (Bridgwater) 1,500 - 1,500 Balance Carried Forward 33,569 37,185 Liabilities Bank Interest 2 2 3 The Company has no recognised gains or losses other 44,725 50,002 94,727 106,843 Represented By: that the profit/loss for the above financial period. Restricted Reserves 2,589 585 None of the Company’s activities were acquired or Expenditure Unrestricted Reserves 30,980 36,600 discontinued during the above financial period. Travel & Subsistence 896 896 965 33,569 37,185 Salary and payroll costs 42,986 42,986 35,927 Telephone/IT 2,970 2,970 2,908 The directors are satisfied that the company is entitled to exemption from audit under Postage/stationery/printing 250 250 77 section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. Meetings/Events 181 181 550 Directors’ responsibilities: The members have not required the company to obtain an Accommodation rental 6,594 6,594 6,912 audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. Accountancy/Audit/Insurance 1,337 1,337 1,259 The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts. Miscellaneous 8,662 408 9,070 4,632 These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions applicable Station improvement work 30,940 30,940 39,164 to companies subject to the small companies’ regime of the Companies Act 2006. Research 8,700 Temple Meads Signal Box Renovation 2,436 2,436 Passengers using local/regional trains in the West of England Community Placement 137 School visits 683 683 1,687 Calendar year 2016 2017 2018 42,721 55,622 98,343 102,918

Cardiff - Bristol - Westbury - Portsmouth/Weymouth 9,128,000 9,324,000 9,168,877 Surplus/Deficit For The Year 2,004 (5,620) (3,616) 3,925 Bristol - Severn Beach 1,368,000 1,364,000 1,162,382 Transfer between funds - - Bristol - Weston-super-Mare - Taunton 2,068,000 2,129,000 2,105,112 Balance brought forward 585 36,600 37,185 33,260 Bristol - Gloucester - Great Malvern 1,540,000 1,558,000 1,457,673 Balance at 31 March 2017 2,589 30,980 33,569 37,185 Total West of England Local/regional journeys 14,104,000 14,375,000 13,894,044 Contributions in kind: we are grateful for travel passes provided by First Great Western and Cross Country Trains, which are not included above. These figures are from GWR ticket sales allocated LENNON data and include only GWR journeys. Some journeys made for example on Rover tickets or employee passes, or on substitute buses, may not have been recorded. So the figures may underscore the total journeys, but this is unlikely to be significant. Reduced Passenger figures for 2018 reflect the considerable line closures due to improvement work. 10 11 11840/0119/redrocket.co.uk

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