STATIONS AS PLACES Opportunity Prospectus
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STATIONS AS PLACES Opportunity Prospectus Integration, Community and Delivery: a Masterplan for Shifnal Station SHIFNAL STATION FEBRUARY 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 Shifnal 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 Shifnal station in this document and looked at different types of activity neighbouring the station; from local businesses providing facilities to the travelling public to the local authorities using existing assets in different ways, from businesses looking for investment opportunities to the impact of new development in the surrounding area. Contents Chapter Page Chapter Page Why ‘Stations as Places’? 2 Making the Station a Better Place - 14 Bringing our Partners together 3 Development Strategy Get in touch and keep up to date About the Station 4 Opportunities for Investment 16 What Do We Know? 6 Action Plan 17 You can email Survey Results 7 Next Steps 18 [email protected] and one of the team will get back to you! Station Layout and Regular Services 8 Who to contact and how to get involved 19 The Headline Opportunities 9 You can also follow progress on Stations Opportunity Plan 11 as Places at: 'Last Mile' Concept Plan 12 www.wmre.org.uk/stationsalliance Community Insight 13 1 Why ‘Stations as Places’ for Shifnal? Who are the West Midlands Station Alliance? What do we Know WMSA is a formal alliancing arrangement between industry partners with a common vision and 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 community the stakeholders, the infrastructure owner - the station facilities owner - and the Local Government. ENGAGEMENT Why Shifnal Station has been selected? Shifnal in Shropshire is an important station for commuters into Wolverhampton and Birmingham, as well as for bringing visitors into the market town and providing rail access to Telford and building a Shrewsbury. The station has an important role to play in the economic growth of the town through VISION supporting growth in tourism as well as enabling the residents of Shifnal to access employment, education and training across the West Midlands and opening up Shifnal to the large workforce within the region. DID YOU KNOW? The drivers for developing this location Shifnal station is used by almost 200,000 passengers annually; a growth of over 40% Stations as Places There are limited facilities at Shifnal Station, and it is not currently since 2014. It is expected that this growth has PROSPECTUS designated as step-free. The station is located directly adjacent to the been driven by new housing development. ‘high street’ (Bradford Street and Market Place), less than 500m from National Cycle Route 81 and within 3km of the M54 Junction 4. The In 2019, Shifnal benefited from extra off-peak development strategy for Shifnal is to provide around 1500 new dwellings train services, significantly improving the and 16 hectares of employment development up unitl 20361. The railway evening and weekend service provision to Monitoring Progress & station plays a key role in supporting the expansion of the town. and from Shifnal. Continuing Engagement The Prospectus 1 Information obtained from Shropshire County Council's Local Plan Review, November 2018: This Prospectus sets out the headline opportunities for Shifnal Station; https://www.shropshire.gov.uk/media/11254/16- including car parking management, community integration, improvements preferred-sites-consultation-shifnal-place-plan- area.pdf to the passenger environment and promoting Shifnal’s heritage. The flow chart on the right shows how we are delivering Stations as Places in Shifnal. 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. Shifnal Station is already clearly a valuable To help shape the future of the Shifnal Station to the needs and requirements community asset which needs to be cared of the local community, involving the community in the planning is critical. The for now and in the future, however, there travel survey can establish how and when people travel to and from the station, is room for growing the community’s but community involvement helps to make a station a more attractive and involvement in the station. Hence, the valuable community asset. Stations as Places aims to establish strong links local community being identified as an between the station management and businesses, the community and other opportunity for the station. local stakeholders; ensuring that the voice of the community is heard Shifnal Millennium Sensory Garden 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 the Shifnal station. Residents and businesses are more likely to take ownership of their local This will involve the community taking a level of station if it is a pleasant and safe place to be, meets their needs and represents ownership of the stations and passing this onto local people and heritage. A railway station as a valued community hub can the future generations to keep each station a offer a real contribution to improving social inclusion and mental wellbeing; valuable part of the local community. Of course, from promoting inclusivity through membership of a ‘friends of’ group or Network Rail, West Midlands Trains and the local simply making waiting as a part of a morning commute more pleasant. Most government will also have an important role in the importantly, an integrated station shows that people care and that they have legacy of the station and that is why partnership something to be proud of. working between the community and these organisations is so important. 16th Century Idsall House 3 About the station DID YOU KNOW? KEY FACTS On Sundays, Shifnal has direct services to Chester as well • Shifnal station opened in 1849, at the time it was located on the as Wrexham, Pwllheli and London Paddington to Birkenhead via Birmingham Snow Hill line. Aberystwyth in Wales. These run It is now on the Shrewsbury to Wolverhampton line. once a week and are operated by • The station is located on a viaduct high above the village itself but Transport for Wales. is located right next to the Town's main streets of Market Place and Bradford Street. • When Shifnal was controlled by semaphore signalling it boasted a Shifnal benefits from an early three-storey signal box! bird service to Birmingham and Wolverhampton (5.50am) and a night owl service from Birmingham and Wolverhampton STATION ACCESS (00.25am) Shifnal station can be accessed from the southern side or northern side of the railway viaduct, on which the platforms are located. However, the route from Market Place / Bradford Street to the northern entrance is via Aston Street and the station car park access road which does not have a footway; Shifnal Station - Facilities Overview the total distance being approximately 400m. Therefore, the most direct and Help points (also providing information) safe route for pedestrians accessing the station from the Town Centre is via Automatic ticket machines the southern access. Payphone Both entrances provide access to Platform 1, with Platform 2 being accessed Ramp for train access via a footbridge with steps only. The southern entrance has steps which lead to a ramp which passes beneath the railway line via a subway and Car park exits onto Platform 1. There is step-free access from the station car park Customer information screen (northern entrance) onto Platform 1; but there is no step-free connection to Platform 2. No staffed ticket office 4 About the station LEASE PLAN Land within the blue line boundary is leased by Network Rail to West Midlands Trains. West Midlands Trains is required to meet lease holder conditions on behalf of the landlord, Network Rail.