Vision for Stations Shorter Term
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
The Rail Delivery Group (RDG) was set up in 2011 to provide leadership to Britain’s rail industry, bringing together the owners of Britain’s passenger train operating companies, freight operators and Network Rail. Its mission is to promote greater co-operation between these groups through leadership in the industry and by working together with Government, the supply chain and stakeholders. The RDG is committed to the long-term health of the railway as well as the need to see improvement in the Vision for Stations shorter term. It does this by developing strategies for the industry to put into practice and by proposing solutions for policy makers to implement. Nine principles for the future of Britain’s stations Contact for more information: [email protected] 200 Aldersgate Street, London EC1A 4HD www.raildeliverygroup.com www.raildeliverygroup.com II 2 3 Foreword Britain’s railway has a pedigree and heritage A dedicated working group was set up by the it can be proud of. This is particularly the case RDG to look at how the industry should evolve its for many of the nation’s railway stations – the approach to the development and management key ‘touch point’ between the railway and the of stations. A key output was to set out our community it serves. thoughts for a future vision for stations that recognise they are more than just building assets We now have one of the most intensively used or a place for people to access rail services. They networks in Europe, with a record 1.6 billion have the potential to regenerate communities, passenger journeys made last year, the highest support local identity and also be a test bed passenger satisfaction and best safety record for new technologies to support and create an of any major European railway. Stations have experience that attracts even more people to use an important role to play in continuing this Britain’s railway. success for passengers and in supporting the sustainable development of the villages, towns The Vision for Stations is the next step and cities in which they sit. in establishing a strategy for realising that vision. The RDG is committed to working with The Rail Delivery Group (RDG) was established stakeholders both at a local and national level to to offer a new way for the industry to work develop local solutions and network approaches collaboratively, by bringing together Network that will realise the vision for the benefit of Rail and passenger and freight operators. Key Britain. to the RDG’s work is identifying and helping implement ways for the railway to become more cost efficient, thereby giving the Government options to hold down fares, reduce subsidy levels and increase investment. The RDG is also committed to bringing the industry together to deliver better services for passengers and other rail users. DominicJeremy LBoothong ManagingChief Executiv Director,e Officer Abellio of Eur UKopean and Business, ChairMTR C oforpor the ationRDG’s Limit Stationed and Strategy Chair o fGroup the RDG’s Station Strategy Group 2 3 1 Introduction Britain’s stations: a national asset Why have a vision for stations? Britain’s railway stations are an important The rail industry and the communities it serves element of the nation’s infrastructure and continue to see significant change and this transport system. They represent an investment is particularly the case at stations. There is a by taxpayers past and present and an important wide range of views on stations and we believe legacy to be nurtured and utilised. Railway that a Vision has the opportunity to reaffirm stations offer the opportunity to contribute to and assure that the divergence of views are the attractiveness of rail journeys and have understood. In developing and implementing the potential to support the development of actions, these views will be assimilated ever more vibrant, growing and attractive local resulting in a station estate that optimises each communities. station in its local context and as part of a national transport network. Working together to create better stations Given the scale and scope of the station estate As the rail industry’s leadership group we are the challenges are large and there is a need for keen to establish a vision for Britain’s stations long term thinking. Establishing a clear vision that creates the context for conversations with can provide a stable policy-base upon which to local and national decision makers, with rail build long term strategies. passengers and with neighbours of stations. Many people and organisations have In this document we set out our vision for contributed to the revival of stations around Britain’s stations and nine principles we think the country. The Vision aims to empower and should shape the approach to their successful support communities, businesses and the evolution. rail industry to take this further by providing a guiding set of principles to support the evolution of Britain’s stations. Sheffield station 3 Introduction Britain’s stations: a national asset Why have a vision for stations? Britain’s railway stations are an important The rail industry and the communities it serves element of the nation’s infrastructure and continue to see significant change and this transport system. They represent an investment is particularly the case at stations. There is a by taxpayers past and present and an important wide range of views on stations and we believe legacy to be nurtured and utilised. Railway that a Vision has the opportunity to reaffirm stations offer the opportunity to contribute to and assure that the divergence of views are the attractiveness of rail journeys and have understood. In developing and implementing the potential to support the development of actions, these views will be assimilated ever more vibrant, growing and attractive local resulting in a station estate that optimises each communities. station in its local context and as part of a national transport network. Working together to create better stations Given the scale and scope of the station estate As the rail industry’s leadership group we are the challenges are large and there is a need for keen to establish a vision for Britain’s stations long term thinking. Establishing a clear vision that creates the context for conversations with can provide a stable policy-base upon which to local and national decision makers, with rail build long term strategies. passengers and with neighbours of stations. Many people and organisations have In this document we set out our vision for contributed to the revival of stations around Britain’s stations and nine principles we think the country. The Vision aims to empower and should shape the approach to their successful support communities, businesses and the evolution. rail industry to take this further by providing a guiding set of principles to support the evolution of Britain’s stations. Sheffield station 3 Overarching vision “Our vision is for Britain’s stations to be places which are inclusive and welcoming, and which encourage everyone to travel by rail. This vision will be enabled by those working at the station, by the innovative use of technology, and by “ the involvement of the communities which stations serve. Llanfair PG station 5 Overarching vision “Our vision is for Britain’s stations to be places which are inclusive and welcoming, and which encourage everyone to travel by rail. This vision will be enabled by those working at the station, by the innovative use of technology, and by “ the involvement of the communities which stations serve. Llanfair PG station 5 Overarching vision Overarching vision Context The importance of stations Maximising their contribution The measure of success Britain has in excess of 2,500 stations with It is in this context that there is a risk of our More than this, stations have a role beyond the There has been significant investment in over 2.5 billion rail journeys made each year. nation’s stations not keeping pace with rapidly rail network. Their buildings, operation, use and stations but our Vision for Stations wants Stations provide access to rail travel for changing expectations and needs. Stations staff help underpin the social fabric of their local to build on this. Work is already underway to the majority of people living in Britain, with have the potential to materially contribute to communities. Many of them can offer more to implement the principles set out in the Vision. over 85% of the population living within five the changing needs of communities and rail their communities, and the nation as a whole. But by 2030 the industry will have engrained kilometres of a railway station. users. The Vision and its underlying principles the Vision principles into the day-to-day To fulfil these roles our stations will be aim to address this risk and place stations at management of every station and in the long They are an enduring feature of Britain’s managed in a dynamic and proactive manner the very heart of the railway network and local term planning of the network. The principles will landscape with most stations built over 100 which takes account of both the immediate communities. be applied as a matter of course with the result years ago. While many aspects of our national needs of passengers along with the wider and that stations are better for customers, for staff, way of life are under threat (traditional high Stations are vital to our railways, providing the longer term needs of local communities and for train operators, for local communities and streets, post offices, cottage hospitals, local gateways and shop windows to the rail network. the UK economy. In a period of great social, the country as a whole.