STATIONS AS PLACES Opportunity Prospectus

Integration, Community and Delivery: a Masterplan for 's railway stations

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

Contents Chapter Page Chapter Page Why ‘Stations as Places’? 2 The Aspiration 16 Bringing our Partners together 3 Listening to our Community 18 About the Stations 4 Making the Station a Better Place 19 Get in touch and keep up to date What Do We Know? 6 Opportunities for Investment 21 Survey Results 7 Action Plan and Targets 22 You can email [email protected] and one of the team will get back to you! Services and Trains 8 Who to contact and how to get involved 23 Station Layout 9 You can also follow progress on Stations The Headline Opportunities 10 as Places at: Local Growth 12 www.wmre.org.uk/stationsalliance Opportunity Plan 14

1 Why ‘Stations as Places’ for Stourbridge?

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

Stourbridge is an important station for commuters and visitors to the town. The stations have an important role to play in the economic growth of the town through opening up Stourbridge to the building a large workforce within the West Midlands region, enabling Stourbridge’s community to access VISION employment, education and training across the region and to support a growth in Stourbridge tourism.

The drivers for developing this location Stourbridge stations are used by over two million passengers annually and are particularly busy Stations as Places at peak commuting times - the level of congestion is having an impact on passenger experience, PROSPECTUS particularly those with lower mobility and requiring assistance. The stations will benefit from improved maintenance and investment in facilities; with some improvements already planned.

Monitoring Progress & The Prospectus Continuing Engagement This Prospectus sets out the headline opportunities for both stations in Stourbridge; including car parking management, community integration, improvements to the passenger environment and promoting Stourbridge’s heritage (such as the town’s glass making history). The flow chart on the right shows how we are delivering Stations as Places in Stourbridge.

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 A railway station is often a great asset to a community, but a LOCAL PERSPECTIVE community can also be a great asset to a railway station. Some railway stations are ideally suited for some areas and not at all for others. Stourbridge’s stations are already clearly a valuable community asset which need to be cared for now and in the future, however, there is room To help shape the future of the Stourbridge stations to the for growing the community’s involvement in the each of the stations. needs and requirements of the local community, involving the Hence, the local community being identified as community in the planning process is critical. The travel survey an opportunity for the stations. The Friends of can establish how and when people travel to and from the Stourbridge Stations (FOSS) already play an stations but community involvement helps to make a station a important role in improving the passenger experience; more attractive and valuable community asset. Stations as Places through floral displays, the upkeep of the station aims to establish strong links between the station management library and tidying the station and platforms. and businesses, the community and other local stakeholders; ensuring that the voice of the community is heard. SOCIAL VALUE LEGACY Transforming a railway station from a ‘passenger thoroughfare’ into An important objective of Stations as Places it to provide a long-term a genuine community asset will have a positive impact on the local legacy by establishing integration and community involvement as the community. heart of the Stourbridge stations.

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

Most importantly, an integrated station shows that people care and that they have something to be proud of. 3 About the stations

KEY FACTS Stourbridge Junction Stourbridge Town • The station is located 1.3km southeast of Stourbridge • The Stourbridge Branch Line is claimed to be the Town centre and consists of three platforms; providing shortest branch line in Europe and many miniature direct and regular access to , railways are actually longer. and Stourbridge Town. • The branch line was originally constructed to allow • The station opened in 1852 in a slightly different transhipment with the . location to the present station and was named Stourbridge. The name was changes when the • The branch opened for passenger traffic on 1 August Stourbridge Railway built their line to Lye. The station 1879 and for goods traffic on 1 January 1880. It briefly originally had four platforms. closed between April 1915 and February 1919 due to the First World War but has otherwise remained open • The station became a double junction in 1879 when since. However, the goods branch closed in 1965. the passenger and goods line opened to Stourbridge Town.

FACILITIES OVERVIEW STATION TYPOLOGY Stourbridge Junction Stourbridge Town Stourbridge Junction - Local Gateway Accessible Toilets Bicycle parking with Local Gateway - serves small town, local CCTV centres and local interchanges

Waiting room FEATURES

Other seating facilities Lockers • Park and Ride KEY • Access to 'mainline' services Coffee kiosk Ticket Office • Access to residential areas Food vending machine Ticket Machine Ticket Office Pay phone Stourbridge Town - Local Gateway Ticket Machine Local Gateway - serves small town, local

Bicycle parking with centres and local interchanges FEATURES

CCTV KEY • Interchange with bus Pay phone • Access to town centre Post box

4 About the stations LEASE PLAN - STOURBRIDGE TOWN LEASE PLAN - STOURBRIDGE JUNCTION

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. 5 What do we know?

PUBLIC TRANSPORT, WALKING and CYCLING ACCESS Stourbridge Town Stourbridge Junction ANNUAL PASSENGER FOOTFALL - Integrated with Stourbridge Bus Interchange - No bus access at the station, but nearby stops - Step-free access are approx 5-mins walk and Shuttle service to Stourbridge Town Stourbridge Junction - 2x cycle storage Stourbridge Town is available 2017/18 634,494 2017/18 1,043,682 - Taxi rank close to the station - Step-free access 2018/19 591,502 2018/19 1,035,644 - 2x cycle storage (circa 90 spaces), including a secure facility Source: Office of Rail and Road (ORR) Estimates of Station Usage 2018-19 FACILITIES AT THE STATION Stourbridge Junction • Seated area Stourbridge Town • Two waiting rooms CRIME and SAFETY FIGURES • Seated area with canopy • Ticket office staffed Mon-Thu between 06:00 Local Crime statistics highlights a drop in registered • Ticket office staffed Mon-Fri - 20:00; Friday 06:00 - 22:00; Saturday 06:00 - crime of almost 50% between 2018 and 2019. 9 cases of between 07:00 - 18:00; Saturday 21:00; Sunday 09:00 - 19:00 violent crime (including sex related 09:00 - 18:00; Sunday Closed • Automatic ticket machines offences) were registered in the • Automatic ticket machine • Coffee kiosk and vending machine vicinity of Stourbridge Town station • Customer information screens • Toilets during 2019. 5 similar crimes were 152 155 86 • Post Box reported in the vicinity of Stourbridge • Customer information screens Junction station. 2017 2018 2019

CAR PARKING and ACCESSIBILITY LOCAL ACTIVITIES and ENTERPRISE Stourbridge Town - no parking available The War Memorial Athletic Ground is located on the A491 High St, north Stourbridge Junction of the Town Centre, just ten minutes by bus away from Stourbridge Town. The Station car park divided between Brook Rd main car park, Rufford Rd and the station approach: Stourbridge FC - "The Glassboys" were founded in 1876 and the club • Operated by Transport for West Midlands currently plays in the Southern League Premier Division Central. • 1034 spaces - plus 22 blue badges • No EV charging available • Open 24/7 - Free King Edward VI College is the largest and one of the most successful providers of sixth form education in the . Each year, around a Stourbridge Junction car park is currently part of Save-a-Space app trial thousand young people complete their A level qualifications. The college is across the West Midlands, testing a pre-booking informative system. 14 located in close proximity to Stourbridge Town station. spaces in the main car park are dedicated to the trial.

6 Survey Results

Have you heard of the Friends of Stourbridge Stations group? Tourism 11% 29% Visiting Friends 13% Business 40% Yes 40% Yes

9% Leisure No 60% No 3% 60% Education

35% Commuting 30% said not know about SWIFT cards at all! How do you usually travel to the station? Other or Combination Interviewees were asked about the availability and condition of station facilities: 11% Taxi • Stourbridge Town • Stourbridge Junction 4% Bus Interviewees described the following Interviewees described the following 33% facilities (excluding parking) as non- facilities (excluding parking) as non- Car (drop off) existent: existent: 48% Car (parked) -- Cycle storage & security (45% of -- Local cycling connections (30% of total responses) total responses) Walk -- Community Projects (51%) -- Community Projects (45%) -- Toilets (64%) 20% of respondents believe public -- Refreshments (69%) transport and walking connections need How often do you travel by train? Public transport connections were the to be improved, and 40% consider most highly rated of station facilities with the available refreshment inadequate. Occasionaly 42% of interviewees describing them Positive feedback was received for the 5% Monthly as excellent. The station is adjacent to live passenger information screens, 12% 19% Stourbridge Bus Interchange - frequently cycle storage and security, and ticket Weekly 11% serving Birmingham, and purchasing. 2-3 days per week .

19% 34% 5 days per week The survey was run between June and July 2019. > 5 days per week 114 completed surveys were collected.

7 Services and Trains

STOURBRIDGE TOWN STOURBRIDGE JUNCTION

• Turn-up-and-go ten minute frequency from first to • 6 trains per hour to Birmingham Snow Hill with a turn-up- last service on weekdays and Saturdays between and go ten minute daytime frequency Stourbridge Town and Stourbridge Junction • Some additional trains during AM peak and PM peak hours • 15 minute frequency on Sundays • Direct Chiltern Railways services to / from • Operated by environmentally friendly rail car Marylebone during AM peak and evenings • 2 trains per hour daytime to Worcester • 4 trains per hour daytime to Kidderminster • Diesel Multiple Units (DMU) livery recently refurbished with new upholstery, free Wifi and USB charging ports

85 Station Layout

STOURBRIDGE JUNCTION The Station

Cycle Parking

STOURBRIDGE TOWN Interchange

9 The Headline Opportunities THE STATION

Physical and Information Improvements Stourbridge Town - improvements to help the interchange of pedestrians, buses, cycles and taxis are needed in order to promote sustainable and active last-miles travel and interchange. For example, signposting and lighting to optimise the connection between Stourbridge Town station and the Bus Interchange.

Stourbridge Junction - currently pedestrian access is via the surface or the underpass. The underpass between the ticket office and the platform requires aesthetic/appearance and drainage improvements.

To improve the safety at the stations and their desirability as a place to be, lower-cost and/or aesthetic initiatives such as improved lighting and signage, redecoration, 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 stations as places to be.

Potential Station Neighbours The Stourbridge stations are surrounded by a mixture of residential and commercial developments, offering multiple business neighbours:

• The Chequers Inn (Wetherspoon) - pub • The Old Crispin - pub • Crabmill Public House • Majestic Wine Stourbridge - wine shop • Premier Inn Stourbridge Town Centre - hotel • The Cross Public House • Oldswinford Coffee Lounge - coffee shop • SPAR - Stourbridge Bus Station - convenience store • Express • The Seven Stars Public House • Oldswinford Fish and Chips - takeaway • The Cross Public House

Town • Elton Centre (Age UK) • Stourbridge Community fire station • Soha’s Royal Cuisine - restaurant • The Bird in Hand Public House Junction • The Gym, Birmingham Street • Shell - filling station

Operational improvements The Stourbridge Town to Stourbridge Junction service ('The Shuttle') is currently operated on a 10-minute frequency by a single railcar (with an additional railcar in the fleet for rotation). The timetable was recently adjusted for the first service on Sunday mornings to allow for interchange with the first London Marylebone service. The passenger capacity of the railcar is under continual review as demand is at or marginally over capacity at peak times.

Stourbridge Junction benefits from a high frequency of services, with at least six trains per hour to Birmingham Snow Hill, four trains per hour to Kidderminster (two of which go onto Worcester). Direct services also operate to London Marylebone via Birmingham operated by Chiltern Railways. Operational improvements are constantly being reviewed, including train lengths and the precise timetabling of specific services to maximise performance. Integration For the benefits of the community and its stations, it is fundamental to promote access to all modes of transport (e.g. connectivity with the Bus Interchange), to consider planned development in the surrounding area and to promote activities across town. Whereas real time train information is provided at Stourbridge Bus Interchange, there is no real time bus information at Stourbridge Junction.

10 The Headline Opportunities THE SURROUNDING AREA

Wider connectivity improvements to the station Link between Stourbridge Town and the Bus Interchange - opportunity to improve wayfinding and enhance the route through attractive planting promoting Stourbridge Town as bus/rail interchange.

Last Mile Peedestrian routes within the last mile of the stations are variable in quality and accessibility. Notably pedestrian accessibility is impacted by the lack of a segregated route through the station car park, unreliable lighting leading to poor visibility and a number of busy junctions which are difficult to cross. Opportunities identified for improvement are as follows:

• Improved wayfinding to and from the station – including the creation of an access guide and map for all pedestrian groups, and different modes of travel • Promotion of sustainable travel options to the railway station (in consultation with the local community and stakeholders) • To support improved bus and rail integration with proposed developments in the local area • Improvements to the quality of the pedestrian environment within the last mile of the station and its immediate vicinity

Surrounding land use activities

For centuries glass has been manufactured in the Stourbridge area, reputedly started in the 17th century by French glassmakers from the Lorraine region. They were attracted to the area by the rich natural resources of coal and fireclay for lining furnaces, making it the perfect location for the industry. Stourbridge Glass is recognised as amongst the finest in the world and has been used countless times as gifts for royalty and visiting dignitaries to the UK.

Creating an identity linked to Stourbridge’s glass making history would provide the opportunity to link the stations to the local heritage and to incorporate this into a quality renovation of stations facilities.

11 Local Growth - Planning

Why is it important to integrate the stations with local growth? The local authority can use planning conditions (or Section 106 or 278 obligations) 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.

KEY HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS

Market Street. Alterations to existing Mixed use development on Birmingham buildings and the erection of apartments Street

Stourbridge Police Station. Conversion Stourbridge Town of former Stourbridge police station into dwellings. Conversion of St John's House office into residential apartments

Conversion of former Stourbridge College campus into School site Stourbridge Junction

12 Local Growth - Development Land Opportunities

Station investment can catalyse land assembly. The economic value uplift of parcels of land through investment in Stourbridge Junction and Stourbridge Town can bring land forward for development to the developer market.

This land assembly can use the stations as the ‘anchor’ to join up parcels of developable land to make them viable. The map above shows potential land assembly opportunities from an outline assessment from Dudley MBC’s Black Country Plan ‘Call for Sites’ and local land use knowledge.

Potential Land Assembly Opportunities • 1 - Gainsborough Trading Estate • 2 - Stourbridge Industrial Estate • 3 - Stambermill • 4 - Birmingham Street • 5 - Old Wharf Road • 6 - Market Street • 7 - Scotts Road

Stourbridge Town Stourbridge Junction

13 OPPORTUNITY PLAN - STOURBRIDGE JUNCTION

Platform Facilities Improvements:

Pedestrian access • New seating improvements on Chawn Hill • Planters Improvements to the / Grange Hill Roundabout • Canopies underpass facilities • Refreshments GRANGE ROAD

RUFFORD ROAD CHAWN HILL

Pedestrian improvements from Station Road STATION to Castle Grove ROAD

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. 14 OPPORTUNITY PLAN - STOURBRIDGE TOWN

Personalised Platform Facilities Improvements: travel planning to residents at new • Planters developments • Glass Industry artwork and interpretation

ST JOHN'S ROAD Station Neighbours and Adoption BIRMINGHAM STREET

Pedestrian improvements from the railway station to bus services and the town centre

15 THE ASPIRATION

Local businesses are proud to be located near to the stations, not least the recently renovated and reopened Seven Stars public house (the former Railway Hotel)

Rail services at Stourbridge Town and Junction stations What BUSINESS has to provide an opportunity to access education; whether that is secondary schools in or King Edwards College and Old Swinford Hospital School in say about the stations Stourbridge. It is absolutely critical that reliable rail services are delivered and access routes as well as the station environment are safe.

As a passionate community group, we are investing our time, energy and creativity into making the community proud of the Stourbridge stations. Although our investment is not big in money terms, it’s big from the fact that it’s got the community at its heart and we want to make the station look pretty, cared for and clean. Already we are making a tangible difference, through our book exchange, planting and George the Cat as our mascot! Friends of Stourbridge Stations

What the LOCAL I live close to the station and I am fed up of commuters using our road as a carpark. The entrance/exit to the carpark requires improvements as it can take up to half an hour at peak COMMUNITY has to say times to get off about the stations Local Resident

16 the place we want it to be

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council (MCB) fully recognises the pivotal role that both stations play in providing access to the railway and interchange between rail and bus. A key priority is to work collaboratively with Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) and West Midlands Trains to maximise access to Stourbridge Junction by sustainable modes. We are passing Traffic Regulation Orders to manage the negative consequences of overspill parking on neighbouring residential streets. What the LOCAL

As the Highway Authority and Planning Authority, we seek to maximise the contributions of new AUTHORITY has to say developments to the investment in improvements to public transport hubs. about the stations

The station cat George makes passengers incredibly happy and puts the station on the map. Simone, Station Manager

Stourbridge Town and Junction work as an integrated pair of stations providing access into the heart of Stourbridge Town Centre. The branch line is critical in accessing the bus interchange and especially supports our customers with mobility and wider access needs. It’s vitally important that anything we do across the stations builds on the access requirements not just for disabled and older people, but also allows younger people and those with other protected characteristics to use What the OTHER the train with confidence and ease. Jon Harris, WMT Integrated Transport, Accessibility & Development Manager STAKEHOLDERS have to say about the Stourbridge is one of the region’s rail success stories. From a modest 306k journeys each year in stations 1997/98, Stourbridge Junction alone now welcomes almost 1.7m individual trips, making it the West Midlands’ 19th busiest station. At the other end of the scale is the line to Stourbridge Town, widely believed to be the shortest working branch line in Europe. These two stations reflect the varied role that rail plays in the life of the town and its residents - connecting people to London, Birmingham or sometimes just down the road. Tom Painter, Head of Rail Franchising and Partnerships

17 LISTENING TO OUR COMMUNITY

Key themes from our stakeholders...

Thanks to our key stakeholders who had their say...

• Transport for West Midlands • Dudley Metropolitan Borough • Pre-Metro Operations Council • Network Rail • County Council A community workshop in The Seven Stars at Stourbridge gave the • District Council • Worcestershire Community Rail community a great opportunity to put forward their views on station • Friends of Stourbridge Station Partnership issues and opportunities. The main take away messages were as • West Midlands Rail Executive • Stourbridge Job Centre follows: • West Midlands Trains • Key issues at both stations include: facilities improvements at Stourbridge Junction, including refurbishment of the subway, no toilet on the Worcester bound platform, need for general refresh, ACTIONS ALREADY INSTIGATED litter picking and management of car parking facilities to reduce demand and overspill FOLLOWING THE WORKSHOP • For Stourbridge Town, improvements included general refresh - Planters and new seating at Stourbridge Junction of station facilities, provision of canopies, reducing anti-social behaviour and promotion of station heritage and improved - Adoption of Stourbridge Town station by The Gym connectivity to the bus station and town centre - Replacement of canopy roof nearing completion • 'Last Mile' improvements were suggested for both stations to at Stourbridge Junction improve pedestrian connectivity to residential areas, the town - The Seven Stars as a station neighbour for centre and other public transport services. Stourbridge Junction 18 Making the Station a better place QUICK WINS Short Term Both stations: • Flowering vegetation in planters, community artwork and murals, e.g. to renovate waiting rooms and underpasses spaces • Install an automatic defibrillator at each station • Replace hanging bins with fully closed models • Following survey results showing an unawareness of Swift Cards and their use, an informative campaign would be useful to promote the use of the cards and the benefits of using one • Public art related to glass industry Town: • Interpretation board to explain the history of the branch line and Stourbridge glass heritage Junction: • George the Cat, mascot social media spotlight • Installation of bus maps & live bus departure digital screens

Medium Term Both stations: • More seats at both Stations Canopy and passengers Town environment in poor • Signposting indicating toilets availability at the Bus Interchange conditions nearby - discuss agreement for free access to toilet if presenting a rail ticket Junction: • Timetable displays and racks in the waiting rooms & CCTV in the waiting rooms • Repair and restoring of canopy (in progress) • Aesthetic and drainage improvements to underpass • Wifi at station - continuous wifi between trains and the stations • Mobile coffee offer (coffee on cart or platform) Long Term Both Stations: • Opportunities for Severn Valley Rail services to use Stourbridge Junction to raise the profile and appeal of both stations Junction: Unwelcoming waiting room and underpass in need of refurbishment • Create additional facility building on platform 1/2 for a and painting - and maintenance needed for stairs handlers and lifts commercial or community use (picture on the right)

19 Making the Station a better place How to get more efficient use of the station

Stourbridge Town Improve currently poor cycle facilities (picture on the left) providing better quality cycle parking at Stourbridge Town station. Stourbridge Junction Almost 1 in 3 of passengers surveyed responded that they thought local cycling connections were non-existent and approximately 1 in 5 of passengers stated that public transport and walking connections need to be improved. This provides a real opportunity for a modal change at Stourbridge Junction as a lack of sustainable travel connections is a significant driver behind vehicle use. 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 Pedestrian access

Stourbridge Town Stourbridge Junction There is no car parking provision at Stourbridge Town station (except • Access to the station from Drive and the wider Chawn Park area is for 2-hour maximum on-street parking adjacent). However, the station poor; a pedestrian walkway cuts through a grassy area which is isolated is well connected to Stourbridge Town Centre and the main bus station; with low level of natural surveillance. This path would benefit from better improvements to accessibility could include taxi sharing and maxi-taxis. lighting. • Along the alleyway between the station approach road / ticket office Stourbridge Junction and Castle Grove, the lighting is unreliable because of frequent outage, The main car park often reaches full capacity by 6:45am on weekdays drainage is very poor and surface ponding frequent. There is a bend mid- and the Rufford Road car park operates at near maximum capacity on way down the alleyway which obscures sight lines and reduces the feeling weekdays. Due to the distance between the furthest end of the Rufford of personal safety. Road car park and the station, rail users often choose to park in nearby • Pedestrian provision at Brook Road/ Grange Road/ Chawn Hill roundabout, residential streets (particularly Castle Grove, Priory Road and Lutley for pedestrian access into main station car park, is poor. Lighting could be Drive). People also opt for parking in residential streets to avoid queuing improved on the station approach road from Brook Road. to exit the car park in the PM peak. • Vehicular right turn out of station approach road into Brook Road is notoriously dangerous due to obscured visibility from a wall, obscuring There is real scope for developing better car parking management at drivers view of pedestrians. the station to improve journeys to / from and around the station at peak hours. Introducing EV charging points and/or car sharing spaces should These challenges offer scope for walking and cycling improvements to improve also be considered to increase sustainable travel options and encourage accessibility to the station: footpath resurfacing, signage, lighting sustainable travel. along footways and underpasses. Community artworks could also add aesthetic value and increase the feeling of community ambience.

20 OPPORTUNITIES for INVESTMENT

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

Section 106 External Funding Match Funding Commercial Revenue Third Party Funding

Section 106 funding can • West Midlands Access for All (AfA) Existing coffee kiosk and • Customer and Communities be secured when a third- Combined Authority funding is a key part of the potential new building Improvement Fund (CCIF). Subject party development relates • Transport for West Government's Inclusive at Stourbridge Junction to Department for Transport (DFT) to the station (in planning Midlands Transport Strategy to station. approvals, West Midlands Trains terms). • West Midland Trains improve the accessibility has an annual budget 2020-21 of • Network Rail of Great Britain's railway. £1.7million to support schemes • Rail Heritage Fund This funding is specifically that are proposed, developed • Dudley MBC targeted at providing and delivered by our customers, • Local Enterprise improvements at stations communities and stakeholders. This Partnership which can enable more exciting programme will run every • Growth Company disabled people to access year for six years. Funding the rail network. • National Stations Improvements • Stourbridge Business Programme (NSIP) Improvement District • Contributions from Chiltern Railways and Pre-Metro Operations Limited 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 cycle spaces to be built at 48 stations across , enabling commuters to cycle as Friends of Stourbridge Stations (FOSS) and the charity sector directly to the station and lock-up their bike securely. e.g. Transition Stourbridge, Stourbridge Business Improvement District, Stourbridge Job Centre, The Gym Stourbridge. 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. 21 ACTION PLAN Making the station a better place - achieving mode change

Mode shift targets provide a focus for the Stations as Place prospectus, as way Action Plan of measuring whether future schemes have a positive impact on sustainable travel. The big opportunities for changing mode come from improving bus- Action Responsibility Timescale rail interchange at Stourbridge Town and walking and cycling access from Mode shift from car TfWM and West Short to Medium both station to local centres and residential developments. 'Rail heading' is a STOURBRIDGE for short trips Midlands Railway key issue at Stourbridge Junction, requiring collaborative working with other JUNCTION stations in predominantly Worcestershire to make local stations the station of Renewed impetus of West Midlands Short choice. community adoption Railway Qualitative, non-modal targets have been identified to maximise community Deliver commited West Midlands Short, Medium and integration and accelerate land development opportunities. improvements Railway and Network Long Rail STOURBRIDGE TOWN Increase rail to bus TfWM and West Short to Medium TARGETS interchange Midlands Railway Secure adoption by West Midlands Short Stourbridge Junction Stourbridge Town community group Railway Year 1: 45% mode share by car Use station as catalyst for land assembly through constructive Accelerate land WMCA, DMBC and Medium to Long Year 3: 40% mode share by car dialogue with developers and assembly Developer Market Year 5: 33% mode share by car Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council over the next 5 Years Active station adoption by community by end of Year 1 Deliver commited Station Improvements between Year 0 DID YOU KNOW? Deliver committed Station and Year 5 Improvements between Year 0 Reducing car travel for journeys and 5 Increase rail to bus interchange for under a mile and a half is the between Year 0 and Year 5 priority target for Stourbridge Reduce 'rail heading' by joint Junction, based on existing car working with Hagley and parking and mode share data: Stations between Year 0 and Year 5 • 1034 parking spaces at full capacity on a daily basis • 48% existing mode share by car

22 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