Quick viewing(Text Mode)

STATIONS AS PLACES Opportunity Prospectus

STATIONS AS PLACES Opportunity Prospectus

STATIONS AS PLACES Opportunity Prospectus

Integration, Community and Delivery: a Masterplan for 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 will be community assets, supporting the wellbeing and development of the areas they serve through involving local community and business.” 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 (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 is an important station for commuters into and , as well as for bringing visitors into the and providing rail access to and building a . The station has an important role to play in the economic growth of the town through VISION supporting growth in 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. Idsall House

3 About the station

DID YOU KNOW? KEY FACTS On Sundays, Shifnal has direct services to as well • Shifnal station opened in 1849, at the time it was located on the as , and Paddington to Birkenhead via Birmingham Snow Hill line. in . 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. This comprises of maintenance and enhancements to station areas, including the station buildings, platforms and facilities.

Key Yellow Subway outside boundary but included in the Station Green Hatch Represents bridge, viaduct, arch, tunnel, or other underlying structure which is within the boundary but excluded from the Station Brown Hatch Represents a right of way

STATION TYPOLOGY

Local Gateway - serves small town, local centres and local interchanges Key features: • Access to Shifnal Town Centre • Provides a gateway for local residential areas to access the railway • Provides an access point to the town centre for visitors

5 What do we know?

PUBLIC TRANSPORT, WALKING AND CYCLING ACCESS

ANNUAL PASSENGER FOOTFALL • No direct bus links to the station, but nearby stops are less than Bus Destination(s) Stop Frequency Number Location (Daytime) Shifnal 5-minutes walk from the platform • Pedestrian access via Aston 14/14A Priorslee / Victoria Hourly 2018/19 187,162 Road and Market Place Stafford Park Road 2017/18 181,468 • Step-free access to Platform 1 113/114/ Telford / Victoria Periodically only 115/116 Road Source: Office of Rail and Road (ORR) • 6 unsheltered cycle spaces with Estimates of Station Usage 2018-19 CCTV 891 Wolverhampton / Victoria Hourly • No taxi rank Telford Road

CRIME AND SAFETY FIGURES LOCAL ACTIVITIES Total Crimes in Shifnal 2017-2019 Shifnal Village Hall is located approximately 2 minutes walk from Shifnal Station. As well as being available for hire, the hall hosts a range of events and classes (such as language classes and film nights). The Millenium Sensory Garden, located in the west of Shifnal, hosts a variety of plants, trees, bird boxes and bug retreats, and is adjoined to the town's War Memorial Garden. The Sensory Garden opened in 2002 and is a valuable communty asset, particularly those with vision or hearing impairment and those less mobile. The garden is 0.55 acres and is voluntarily maintained to a high standard by a dedicated group of committee members and friends of the garden. Nearby is the Royal Airforce Museum at Cosford, and Weston Park, a 17th-century mansion with Local Crime statistics highlight a slight rise in fine art, landscaping, a restaurant and a café. registered crime, of approximately 3% between 2018 and 2019. 209 cases of violent crime (including sex CAR PARKING AND ACCESSIBILITY related offences) and 219 cases of anti-social The station car park is located to the north of Shifnal station and is accessed from Aston Street via behaviour were registered in the vicinity of a private access road, providing direct and level access to Platform 1. The car park, operated by Shifnal station during 2019. West Midlands Railway, is open 24/7 with a daily charge of £3. No EV charging points are available. There 20 spaces available, plus 22 disabled spaces.

6 Survey Results

68% of respondents did not experience crime; however, over a quarter (28%) stated thay had witnessed antisocial behaviour at the station

DID YOU KNOW?

Data collected by West Midlands Combined Authority in August 2019. 233 responses were collected

71% of passengers 'walk and ride' , i.e. walk to the station and catch their train

33% of respondents experienced mobility issues when accessing the station. Lack of step free access to Platform 2 and from the main entrance are considered key contributing factors

DID YOU KNOW?

7 Station Facilities and Regular Services

Above: platform level showing the shelters (one per platform) and stepped footbridge

Below: The main pedestrian access to the south of the station on Market Place. Access to the platforms is via steps and an underpass.

SERVICE DETAILS

Destination and Key Stations Platform Trains per hour Weekday and Sunday daytime Saturday daytime Birmingham New Street via 1 2 1 Wolverhampton Shrewsbury via Telford Central 2 2 1 First Train: 05.50 to Birmingham New Street via Wolverhampton Last Train: 00.25 to Shrewsbury via Telford Operated by West Midlands Railway Timetable available at: https://www.westmidlandsrailway.co.uk/travel-information/timetables

8 The Headline Opportunities - The Station

Access to and from the station • The main pedestrian entrance from Shifnal Town Centre (southern entrance) Example of step- is set back from the street and not visible from any of the streets leading up to free access on the station (including Market Place from the south and Bradford Street from platforms that the north). Shifnal station would benefit from improved pedestrian signage to can improve and from Market Place / Bradford Street as well as other local streets which accessibility for are a destination for visitors. passengers and the desirability of the station • Improvements for less mobile and disabled users is a key opportunity for Shifnal station as there is currently no step-free access to Platform 2. Also, the main pedestrian entrance to the station does not allow step-free to either platform and less mobile disabled users have a detour of 400m. This route involves a steep incline and the use of roads with a narrow footway or no foot- Low-cost, pop- way at all. Providing step-free access between both platforms and the main up outlets pedestrian entrance will significantly enhance the station and open up the rail can improve services to more potential customers. the desirability of the station and overall Enhanced facilities and sense of place passenger • To improve safety at the station and its desirability as a place to be, lower-cost experience and / or aesthetic initiatives such as improved lighting and signage, redeco- ration, replacement of platform furniture or refurbishment of toilets would be beneficial (and achievable in the short/medium term). Creation of retail and / or refreshment pop-up facilities would also improve the attractiveness of the Direct and safe experience. pedestrian crossing Wider connectivity improvements to the station facilities to/from the station can • Improvements to the pedestrian connectivity between Shifnal station, the Town generate mode Centre and local bus stops, particularly through improved wayfinding, is a key shift to more opportunity for improving station connectivity. Improving cycle connections sustainable between Shifnal station and National Cycle Route 81 is also an important modes of opportunity. transport

9 The Headline Opportunities - The Surrounding Area Last Mile Pedestrian routes within the last mile of the station are variable in quality and accessibility. Footway provision along Market Place / Bradford Street is of a high standard; with wide pavements, dropped kerbs at junctions and lighting. Well maintained planters, trees, the availability of benches Shifnal National Cycle Route 81 Bus interchange on Victoria Road and other visual amenities (such as the clock tower) enhance the route as a pleasant access point into the town. However, the installation of pedestrian crossing facilities, such as on Aston Street and / or Market Place, would improve access, particularly for less mobile / disabled users. The residents living to the northeast of the station, including but not limited to Bluegate, Greenfields and Springhill, are expected to be the most frequent pedestrian users of the northern access due to their proximity. The installation of a safe footway along the access road, improved footways along other local roads, e.g. Greenways, and supplementary Towards Telford crossing facilities would benefit these users. and the M54(W) T o

w

n Beyond the station

Towards C

e Birmingham via Shifnal is located towards the eastern boundary of Shropshire and on n

t the M54(E)

r the northwest periphery of the West Midlands region. Shifnal and the e surrounding area is steeped in history; the popular tourist destination of Gorge is located approximately 6 miles away, along with Ironbridge town which is a terminus on the . Other Rail services towards Telford nearby historic attractions include Roman City and Hawkstone Central and Historic Park and Follies. Rail services towards Shrewsbury Shropshire is a mostly rural county and is home to the Wolverhampton and Birmingham Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (including ) and Site of Special Scientific Interest. The also flows to the southwest. Agriculture is an important industry in the region with over Towards half the land being used for grassland to feed livestock and over a quarter Wolverhampton of the land being used to grow cereals. There is an extensive public rights of way network in Shropshire opening up the countryside to residents and visitors.

10 OPPORTUNITY PLAN

Station Neighbours Shifnal station is surrounded by a mixture of residential and commercial developments, offering multiple potential business neighbours: • Shifnal Village Hall • Odfellows Wine Bar • Co-op Food • Shifnal Post Office • The Winking Frog • Jasper’s Arms • The Anvil Lodge Hotel • Nan’s Café Bar • Sticky Jim’s Motorcycle Tyre Shop • Lille Racewear • The Bell Pubw

Odfellows Wine Bar

The station masterplan focuses on the station itself and the opportunities for integration with the station's immediate vicinity. Enhanced walking, cycling and bus interchange will make a significant difference to how the station feels. 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 existing facilities, whilst better connectivity to other transport modes will serve to reduce demand on parking spaces. Shifnal Village Hall

11 ‘LAST MILE’ CONCEPT PLAN

Integration of WMT travel Developer contributions for Improved pedestrian Targeted personalised travel New crossing facilities initiatives with employer and improving last mile connectivity access into the station planning at new housing in the vicinity of the school travel plans and 'at station' facilities from Aston Street developments station Improving and maintaining pedestrian facilities between existing housing areas and the station Improved wayfinding: making stations easier to find and also raising the station's profile within the town

Installation of high-quality pedestrian facilities between new housing developments and the station Why is it important to integrate stations' and local growth? The local authority can choose to use planning conditions (or Section 106 or 278 obligations) Shifnal Station for defined schemes e.g. 100 secure cycle spaces and a bike hire building. Where new housing or employment development is likely to occur, these should also be recognised in the scheme planning application. Off-site sustainable travel measures which fall outside the station boundary should be delivered and funded via local transport strategies or development control contributions through the relevant property developer.

Stations as Places is also about promoting wider connectivity to existing communities, businesses, local centres and future development sites. The 'Last Mile' concept plan considers other land uses in the surrounding area and what the priorities should be in terms of integration of sustainable transport modes and station facilities. Key local stakeholders have been identified through initial consulation and auditing of the local area. Engagement will focus on improving access to rail services and how Stations as Places can unlock development potential and enhance existing connectivity for residents and the local economy. 12 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 – level intelligence and information about Shifnal Station. Importantly, this section doesn’t just look at the station itself, but includes facts and fig-ures about social enterprise, start-up businesses, community groups, station adoption and other valuable information.

SHIFNAL COMMUNITY • The 2011 Census data shows Shifnal to be a predominantly white population with a significant number of residents aged between 65 and 89 years old. There are many families living in Shifnal and a high number of people that work full time. • In summary, the population of Shifnal is mostly white families with working parents or retired households aged over 65 years old.

COMMUNITY FACILITIES • operates a Voluntary Car Service which includes Shifnal. This service enlists (and checks) drivers whose role is to provide transport for people with special requirements. Currently, there are around 75 volunteer drivers who, between them, cover journeys within and outside of Shropshire. Drivers provide a stable, caring service for local people, and are able to forge excellent relationships with passengers. • Shifnal Town Council opened Shifnal’s former police station as a new Community Centre in 2019. The venue hosts a community cafe and gardens, function rooms and advice centre. • Shifnal Village Hall is centrally positioned in Shifnal. The community venue is a registered charity and administered by a volunteer Management Committee. The hall hosts a range of events and classes which are popular among the local community.

13 Making the Station a better place

How to get more efficient use of the station capacity with three-quarters drivers responding that they either rarely or never found a car parking space in the station car park (45% and 35% respectively). As the entirety of Shifnal Town is located within 1.5km Improved integration with local bus services / Victoria Road stops, introducing of the station it is expected EV charging points and car sharing spaces should be considered to increase that most residents would promote travel options and encourage sustainable travel to and from the walk rather than cycle to the station, reducing the pressures on the car park. station. This is demonstrated in the survey responses Pedestrian access where almost 70% of Being located adjacent to Market Place and Bradford Street, many of the respondents stated that they surrounding streets provide high-quality pedestrian facilities, e.g. dropped walked to the station. Some kerbs and seating, enabling safe and appealing access between the station of the surrounding streets, and the Town Centre for all users. There is an opportunity to improve crossing e.g. Aston Street, had narrow facilities for rail users accessing Market Place, Bradford Street and Victoria footways with unsegregated Road (for the local bus services). traffic running close to the pedestrians. There is a good opportunity to improve some of these routes to The main pedestrian access to Shifnal Station is set back from the road and and from the station, including the crossing facilities outside the station and not clearly visible from any approach. Improved signage on the roads leading on the access road to the station car park (i.e. upgrading the current vehicle- to / from the station would help to raise the stations profile in Shifnal and help based entrance into a safe, pedestrian friendly entrance). visitors no navigate their way between the station and Shifnal Town Centre. To the north and south of Shifnal there are a number of villages where the These challenges offer scope for walking and cycling improvements to residents may travel to and from Shifnal Station (villages to the east and improve accessibility to the station; including footpath resurfacing, signage, west are expected to use other stations along the line, such as Telford or lighting along footways and underpasses. Community artworks could also Albrighton). Many of these villages offer the opportunity to increase cycling add aesthetic value and increase the feeling of community ambience. to and from the station; where cycling infrastructure improvements and safer cycling parking would be beneficial. 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 As demonstrated in the survey results, the main car park reaches maximum

14 Making the Station a better place DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY Short Term • Flowering vegetation in planters, community artwork and murals, e.g. to renovate underpasses spaces. Potential to work with the existing provider of planters in and around Shifnal. • Install an automatic defibrillator at the station • Tourism / visitors map at the station – modern, attractive and clear with opportunities for local sponsorship • Map showing the local / nearest bus stops (opportunity to link with the above) • Improved / refreshed bus service information at the station • Interpretation board to explain the history of Shifnal and surrounding area • Public art related to local heritage (Shifnal and the surrounding area), such as connections to Thomas Percy and Reliques of Ancient English Poetry • Set up a Friends of Shifnal Station group • Discount card for rail users at local shops and cafés Medium Term • Mobile coffee offer; on platforms or at station entrance with a potential link up with an established local company • Installation of pedestrian signage to and from the station, particularly to / from Bradford Street and Victoria Road (where the closest bus stops are located) • Cycle parking improvements; the customer survey highlighted cycle parking as being generally insecure. There is the need in the long term to improve or relocate the cycling provision • Pedestrian crossing facilities; currently there is a signalised crossing at the station-end of Victoria Road. Providing a crossing either outside the main pedestrian entrance to the station would allow pedestrians to safely cross between the station and the opposite side of Market Place / Bradford Street. Another solution would be to upgrade the existing central island into a fully accessible pedestrian refuge. • WIFI at station - continuous WIFI between trains and the stations • Provision of platform canopy; currently the platforms are not covered and exposed to the weather meaning that only the waiting rooms (one per platform) provide seated shelter • Collaboration with residential developers to offer personalised travel planning to new homeowners DID YOU KNOW? Long Term • Providing step-free access; the provision of a lift at the main pedestrian access, adjacent to the Reliques of Ancient English ramp entrance, would provide step-free access to Platforms 1 and 2 without the need to travel via Poetry was compiled by the station car park. Bishop Thomas Percy in • Investigate the use of the viaduct arches for commercial enterprise. Ownership and viability will Shifnal, published in 1765 need to be confirmed. • Provide 'last mile' improvements with enhanced sustainable transport access to new developments

15 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 stations serve. OPTIONS FOR DELIVERY

Section 106 External Funding Match Funding Commercial Revenue Third Party Funding

Section 106 funding can • Shropshire County Access for All (AfA) Opportunities for • Customer and Communities be secured when a third- Council funding is a key part of the commercial enterprise Improvement Fund (CCIF). Subject party development relates • Shifnal Town Council Government's Inclusive under the viaduct arches to (DFT) to the station (in planning • West Midland Trains Transport Strategy to improve at Shifnal station. approvals, West Midlands Trains terms). • Network Rail the accessibility of Great has an annual budget 2020-21 of • Rail Heritage Fund Britain's railway. This funding £1.7million to support schemes • The Marches Local is specifically targeted at that are proposed, developed Enterprise Partnership providing improvements at and delivered by our customers, • ACoRP Community stations which can enable communities and stakeholders. This Rail Partnership more disabled people to exciting programme will run every (to support station access the rail network. year for six years. adoption) • National Stations Improvements 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 , enabling commuters to cycle setting up a “Friends of Shifnal Station” and the charity sector, e.g. directly to the station and lock-up their bike securely. Shifnal Village Hall and the Shifnal Millennium Sensory Garden Committee. 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.

16 ACTION PLAN Making the station a better place - achieving mode change

Action Plan

Action Responsibility Timescale • 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 Set up a Friends impact on sustainable travel. of Shifnal Station West Midlands • The targets below enable us to review the success of this opportunity group through a Railway, Shropshire Short prospectus and if the measures taken have resulted in improved sustainable community-led Council, Shifnal Town access to the station, continued and enhanced community involvement and project at the Council a complement to other capital improvements. station Deliver ‘quick win’ improvements at the station – West Midlands Targets improvements Station Alliance, Short to cycle parking, Shropshire Council, Years 1-3: Increase passenger numbers by capturing a rail market ‘brightening up’ of Shifnal Town Council from housing growth platforms through planting Year 1: Launch Friends of Shifnal Station To increase West Midlands passenger use Railway, Shropshire Year 1: Deliver 'quick win' station improvements through local Ongoing Council, Shifnal Town housing and visitor Council Year 3+: Develop proposals for step free access and development of growth station buildings Develop longer term aspirations for proposals for West Midlands step free access Station Alliance, Long and commercial Shropshire Council development of the viaduct arches

17 NEXT STEPS

This Prospectus is very much a ‘living action plan’ that will be developed and re-imagined as new opportunities arise.

• We will work collaboratively with stakeholders and partners to develop plans to deliver short term improvements identified in the action plan to improve customer experience at the station – ‘brightening up of platforms’, improved cycle parking and platform canopies as examples. • We will continue to engage with our stakeholders so they have their say in how the Prospectus develops and delivers. This particularly recognises the ambitious visions which stakeholders have for improvements to accessibility and making commercial use of the viaduct arches. • We will use the Prospectus to maximise funding opportunities from land use developments in the town. • We will monitor the achievements of the Prospectus against the identified targets. • We will measure the performance of the Prospectus against goals for increasing the sustainable travel mode share for access to stations, accessibility for customers and customer experience at the station.

18 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

19

Top View