STATIONS AS PLACES Opportunity Prospectus

Integration, Community and Delivery: a Masterplan for Water Orton

WATER ORTON STATION JUNE 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 Water Orton? 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 Water Orton station in this document and looked at different types of activity neighbouring the station, 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. This is a living document, the goals and objectives set out in here will change over time. Contents

Chapter Page Chapter Page Why ‘Stations as Places’? 2 Listening to our Community 17 Bringing our Partners together 3 Making the Station a better place 18 About the Station 4 Development strategy 19 What Do We Know? 6 Opportunities for Investment 20 You can email [email protected] and one of the team will get back to you! Survey Results 7 Action Plan and Targets 21 Services and Trains 9 Who to contact and how to get involved 22 You can also follow progress on Stations The Headline Opportunities 10 as Places at: Local Growth – Planning 13 www.wmre.org.uk/stationsalliance Community Insight 14 The Aspiration 15 Get in touch and keep up to date

1 Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Reviving our Railway

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused massive economic and social disruption. Rail operation across the country was placed into an Emergency Management Agreement with the Department for Transport, which has now moved into An Emergency Recovery Management Agreement.

We were proud to keep our railways running during the pandemic to serve key workers and allow them to travel safely.

We are now in a phase of reviving our railways and the communities they serve.

There are big new challenges for our Stations as Places Programme: • Passenger numbers will take time to recover. • The way in which station buildings are used has changed. • City, town and local centres will have to reinvent themselves as retailers withdraw and office buildings are less full. • Ways of funding new investment will need to be transform.

Stations as Places will be forward looking and opportunistic. ‘The moment is now’ for stations to harness community spirit, pursue more entrepreneurial ways of using station buildings and support the revitalisation of high streets and local centres.

2 Why ‘Stations as Places’ for Water Orton?

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 (WMRE). 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 community Local Government. ENGAGEMENT Why Water Orton has been selected?

Water Orton is an important station for commuters into City Centre and accessing the East Midlands. The station has an important role to play in the economic growth of North building a through opening the area to job opportunities in the West Midlands metropolitan VISION area and the East Midlands. The rail service to Water Orton is currently infrequent and the timetable has periods where trains call at the station almost back to back, but then the community are left with a multiple hour wait until the next train.

The drivers for developing this location Stations as Places PROSPECTUS Water Orton station is used by over 57,000 passengers annually and is noticeably busier at peak commuting times. There is a community around Water Orton that is keen to see the station facilities developed in the future.

Monitoring Progress & Continuing Engagement The Prospectus This Prospectus sets out the headline opportunities for Water Orton, including managing car access, community integration, improvements to the passenger environment and promoting the area around the station. The flow chart on the right shows how we are delivering Stations as Places at Water Orton.

3 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.

Water Orton Station is already clearly a valuable community asset which To help shape the future of Water Orton station, the needs and requirements needs to be cared for now and in the future. However, there is room for of the local community, involving the community in the planning process is growing the community’s involvement in the station. There are a range of critical. Community involvement helps to make a station a more attractive and businesses in the local area whose staff benefit from the station and we valuable community asset. Stations as Places aims to establish strong links would like to explore how these businesses can become more involved in between the station management and businesses, the community and other the development of the station. local stakeholders; ensuring that the voice of the community is heard.

SOCIAL VALUE LEGACY

Transforming a railway station from a ‘passenger thoroughfare’ into a An important objective of Stations as Places it to provide a long-term genuine community asset will have a positive impact on the local legacy by establishing integration and community involvement as the community. heart of Water Orton Station.

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

4 About the Station

KEY FACTS DID YOU KNOW? The station was first opened in 1842 by the Birmingham and Junction Railway. A freak tornado in Birmingham in 1996 damaged the wooden The station is near Birmingham, however just within the staircase. Rather than remove and Warwickshire County Council local authority area. The station is replace the staircase was repaired owned by Network Rail and managed by West Midlands Railway, causing the zig zag we see today. however the only train services that call at the station are Cross This is the only access to the Country services. platform. There is no easy access for persons with restricted mobility STATION ACCESS The view of Water Orton's and specific access needs. original station showing the This station is very much intended to be a local station for local staggered platforms either side residents. There is no 'official' station car park so customers who of the footbridge. Source: www. access the station usually walk through Water Orton to use the warwickshirerailways.com station. There is a car park adjacent to the station which is owned by Borough Council. This car park currently has no parking restrictions and so there is evidence of commuters using this car park all day. STATION TYPOLOGY The walking routes around the station are safe and suitable for customers with reduced mobility. There are, however, examples of As part of the Stations as Places Programme we have given customers parking on the surrounding streets when the car park is stations different typologies. We have identified Water Orton as a full. Local Station.

• The station serves the small town of Water Orton enabling The image of people living near the station to easily access Birmingham the borough and the East Midlands council car • There are multiple safe walking routes to get to the station. park adjacent the station.

5 About the station

LEASE PLAN

a S RH th T © C r o w n c o p y r i g h t Oand d a t a b a s e ri gh ts 2017* OO r d n a n c e S u r v e y 0 1 0 0 0 4 0 6 92. N US E E E FACILITIES OVERVIEW ¯ C W 3 77.8m R Water Orton

Hargrave House Unstaffed station

Lime Tree Help points for emergencies and to provide Hall customer information Customer information screens on each platform Waiting shelters A ticket vending machine No station car park, but a free local authority car park adjacent CCTV GP R There is a poor train service towards the East 84.5 m E There is a poor service towards the major hospital in Water Orton Station Nuneaton and Doctors’ surgery in Coleshill

¬ ¬ ¬ ¬

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Surgery ¬ ¬ ¬ ¬ 10

PC E 82.0m B 4117

E 79.5m 3 4 1 2

2 T lbion 14a A L a5 n d information 14 ace A WATER ORTON Terr Cotta D D IS STATION LEASE S 18 1 N 16 O W TO0720217 ysidP en u 15 Shad L n Coord iAnate sydW 417 4 6 8 E 29 1 2 2 4 N E e s Date: 7 Drawn By: 17 Oct 2017 AO Blue line shows the station lease area. 6 What do we know?

PUBLIC TRANSPORT, WALKING AND CYCLING ACCESS

ANNUAL PASSENGER FOOTFALL The station has no cycling facilities and Cross Country restrict the number of bikes on trains for safety reasons. Year Footfall Change There is a bus service between and Birmingham that calls at Water Orton within 2018/19 57,080 +2.5 a 2-minute walk from the station. 2017/18 55,642 +7.6 2016/17 51,680 +12.6 2015/16 45,886 +17.9 STATION SERVICES LOCAL ACTIVITIES 2014/15 38,916 There isn't a straightforward timetable at Water Orton. In the peak there are Water Orton is a village near the River Tame in Source: Office of Road and Rail multiple trains per hour, and in the off North Warwickshire. The 2011 census identified peak very few trains, with some hours there are 3,444 people living in Water Orton. A few of the places you can visit nearby are: CRIMES seeing no trains. The level of crime has remained static over Although this station is managed by • New Pastures Farm (10 minute walk) the last three years with the crimes in the West Midlands Railway, all services • Kingsbury Water Park (9 minute drive) area being recorded at between 200 - 210 per are Cross Country services. • Ash Ends House Children's Farm (10 minute year. The crimes recorded within the area are drive) shown below. • Middleton Hall and Gardens (10 minute drive) ACCESSIBILITY CAR PARKING AND • The Belfry Hotel and Golf Centre (10 minute Total Crimes There is no station car park. The drive) 212 car park adjacent to the station, 210 'Birmingham Road Car Park' is owned 208 and operated by North Warwickshire Borough Council and allows 206 customers to stay in the car park for 204 14 hours for free on week days and 202 24 hours on a Sunday. 200 198 196 Total 19 Total 18 Total 17

7 Picture: Belfry Hotel and Spa Survey Results

SURVEY OVERVIEW We carried out an online survey which we promoted through leaflet drops at the station during peak periods. We received a total of 181 responses. 20% of the people responding to the survey drove to the station.

JOURNEY PURPOSE TRAVEL FREQUENCY SAFETY AND SECURITY

• The survey highlights • Of the customers • 95% of customers told that the majority surveyed only 25% of us they have never (53%) of customers them travel daily. experienced any anti- using the station are social behaviour. leisure customers. • The largest number of customers surveyed 27%, • Customers told us that • There is a combined use the station monthly. since the installation of total of 41% of The survey highlighted CCTV it seems there was customers using the that the reason for been a reduction in crime. station for business infrequent travel was the and commuting train service. purposes.

TRAVEL TO AND FROM THE STATION

• 34% of drivers use the car park, 33% on street and 33% use an alternative location.

• However, the postcode data map on page 8 shows some customers driving short distances to access the station.

8 Survey Results

POSTCODE DATA MAP FOR WATER ORTON

POSTCODE DATA

As part of the survey we collected postcode data to understand where customers are travelling from to access the station.

The postcode data identified shows some rail heading, which is when a customer drives to a station that isn't their nearest station because of car parking provision. We are aware that since the installation of car parking charges at the station next to this one, Coleshill Parkway, some customers may drive to Water Orton. However, the less frequent rail service at Water Orton will limit this rail heading.

9 Station Facilities and Regular Services

KEY TRAVEL INFO • 10 minute journey time to Birmingham • No evening trains • First train arrives into Bir- mingham for 07:47 • Last train out of Birmingham 19.52 • 45 minute journey time to • First train arrives into Leicester for 11:59 Above: The entrance to the station via the station • Last train out of Leicester building. 21:49 • No train to local hospital Below: the waiting shelter at the station providing shelter for customers on both platforms. SERVICE DETAILS

Destination and Platform Trains per hour Key Stations Weekday and Sunday daytime Saturday daytime Birmingham New 1 3 trains in the No trains on a Street morning peak, Sunday however infrequent throughout the day Leicester via 2 No trains in the No trains on a Nuneaton morning peak, Sunday infrequent during the day, with additional stops on the evening

Station Managed by West Midlands Railway Services Operated by Cross Country Trains Timetable information: https://www.westmidlandsrailway.co.uk/travel-information/timetables

10 The Headline Opportunities THE STATION

Physical Improvements An example • The historic building has been allowed to fall into a poor state due to a lack of of the narrow ownership and management. The existing station building needs refurbishment. roads around the station. • As customers come down the stairs onto the platforms, the one shelter located at the bottom of the stairs causes customers to cluster in one area to keep dry if raining. To maximise customer train boarding efficiency, a second waiting shelter should be installed. • To explore improvements to station access for mobility impaired customers.

The station Operational Improvements building which is showing • The station requires a frequent peak and off-peak train service, which supports both signs of wear commuting journeys and access to a night time economy in Birmingham City Centre. and tear.

Integration

• There is currently an issue with customers parking on the streets around the station. This requires collaborative management with North Warwickshire Borough Council. The potential site for the • Water Orton Action Community Group are working with North Warwickshire Borough 'interchange Council to expore how space within the car park area can be best optimised to space' adjacent create an interchange hub with increased capacity, electric charging points and cycle to the station. storage. • To explore opportunities to collaborate with National Express West Midlands to provide a 'Water Orton to Birmingham' joint rail and bus ticket product. This would allow customers to flex between bus and rail services for their outbound and return journeys to best accommodate service timetables.

11 The Headline Opportunities THE SURROUNDING AREA

Route Towards Last Mile M42 The walking audit around the station identified that the footpaths, although narrow were safe for walking. The route from the station to the village shops was

suitable for pedestrians.

Tamworth Alte

route There were, however, some surrounding streets to the r native native station where there was evidence of on street parking to likely as an overflow from the Borough Council’s car

park by customers using the railway station.

Bir

via Tamworth

m The following improvements have been identified:

Parkway

Towards

Coleshill ingham • A partnership with the Borough Council to utilise the long stay car park as an 'interchange space’ with safe cycle storage provision and Electric Vehicle charging points.

• A review of the areas where on street parking is occurring to put parking restrictions in place.

Planning Developments

Local We have provided the details of the developments we shops are aware of on page 13.

12 OPPORTUNITY PLAN

Potential Station Neighbours

The station is located very near to the village shops. The following potential station neighbours have been identified: • The Village Cantonese • Water Orton Fish Bar • Water Orton Travel Centre • Tesco Express • Cut Fellas Barbers

Restore the historic station building

A second shelter at the station. Create increased capacity car parking spaces, electric charging points and cycle storage

13 ‘LAST MILE’ CONCEPT PLAN

KEY Existing residential development

Open space

Key route

Industrial area

Langley Urban Extension There is a proposed development in Walmley - Langley Sustainable Urban Extension, which is a development of 6,000 homes.

Adjacent to the Langley HS2 Lorry Park and Peddimore site is SITE ONE SITE TWO a proposed 71 hectare The site for 50 new dwellings at the As a result of the High Pedimore industrial There is potential for the development old primary school within walking Speed Rail project there development. Water Orton of up to 20 houses on the Dog Public distance of the station. will be a lorry park that Station is identified as the House car park, which is within a few will be located two miles service train station for these minutes walk of the station. away from Water Orton sites. Station.

14 There is an opportunity for the local businesses in the town to help improve the local station and use this as a way of promoting themselves.

COMMUNITY FACILITIES There is opportunity for engagement and buy in for this building to COMMUNITY INSIGHT become an community asset, which the community is proud of. The station adopters have a vision for: A vital component of every ‘Stations as Places’ project is to understand the community perspective and ‘grass roots’ understanding of the station and its • Ease of access for people for all surrounding area. To build up a picture we have brought together key community • Better facilities including waiting rooms/toilets level intelligence and information about Water Orton. Importantly, this section • Improving/maintaing the visual aspect of the existing historic doesn’t just look at the station itself, but includes facts and figures about social building enterprise, start-up businesses, community groups, station adoption and other valuable information.

STATION ADOPTION

Water Orton Station Action Community Group became station adopters in March 2020.

"Station adoption has been one of the many successes of the community rail movement. More than 1,000 adoption groups have been formed nationwide. As well as engaging thousands of people in volunteering, bringing people together and creating pride in station and community, these groups play a critical role in making their stations welcoming, pleasant and attractive places. Often their work extends beyond basic upkeep, incorporating community gardening and food growing, local arts projects, and workshops and visits with children and young people." Association of Community Rail Partnerships.

GRANT AVAILABILITY

There is money available through the Customer and Community Interest Fund to improve local stations. The Water Orton Action Community Group have GET INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY RAIL made 3 bids for Grants under this scheme prior to becoming station adopters, To find out more about adopting a station visit to work towards improving the station for the benefit of the community. www.westmidlandsrailway.co.uk/adopt-station SUPPORTING BUSINESSES

15 THE ASPIRATION

"I can't walk very well, so climbing the stairs when I return is difficult , could do with a lift at the station"

"Not enough return trains to Water Orton, especially in the evening/ night times for travelling to the city - for example, the theatre"

"Never able to get on the train as its always full to the brim by the time it reaches Water Orton. There are nowhere near enough carriages at communting times."

"Water Orton has grown around the development of the railway and the local station is situated in the centre of the village. Water Orton without a thriving railway station would be unthinkable" North Warwickshire Borough Council

"As station adopters Water Orton Community Action Group has a vision to maintain the Heritage and visual aspect of the station while trying to improve facilities for the benefit of the community." Water Orton Community Action Group

16 LISTENING TO OUR COMMUNITY

Key themes from our stakeholders..

The workshop took place with the community at Coleshill Parkway and Water Orton. The first workshop took place on Thursday 30 May 2020. The attendees that attended the workshop includes West Midlands Rail Executive, North Warwickshire Borough Council, Water Orton Parish Council, Warwickshire County Council, Midlands Connect, National Express and West Midlands Trains. The issues raised were around on street parking, the lack of train services and the poor quality station building. Evidence Gathered Data Supporting Policies and Guidance Station site audit Last mile walking, cycling and public This Prospectus aligns with and works alongside a host of existing local and transport audit regional policy, guidance, strategy and investment frameworks. This Passenger survey includes: Stakeholder workshops Local policy and plans review Warwickshire County Council Investment Plan for Water Orton and Individual discussions with stakeholders Coleshill Parkway. Key station data review -The Local Plan and planning information for North Warwickshire Borough Local growth activity review Council

https://www.northwarks.gov.uk/info/20002/planning/1357/new_local_plan

- Warwickshire Local Transport Plan 2011 - 2026

https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/directory-record/2149/local-transport- 17 plan-2011-2026 Making the Station a Better Place

How to get more Encourage more cycling efficient use of the station We will work together with North Warwickshire Borough Council to consider how the exsiting car park could be used as an interchange space with increased parking spaces, spaces for bluebadge holders, electric charging The research shows that points and cycling storage. 59% of the customers using the station travel to the station on foot. Pedestrian access • There is a safe crossing place between the station and the village shops. The local highway and pedestrian network around • There are opportunities to introduce wayfinding to the nearby bus stop/ the station (as shown in rail replacement buses. the image) are narrow and not able to accommodate a large number of vehicle movements, hence a • As previously stated, there are some side roads where potentially rail station accessible by walking and cycling is key. customers are parking inconsiderately, these need resolving.

We need to ensure that customers are not travelling into Water Orton as opposed to using their local station because of the free car parking at Water Orton.

There are opportunities to work with the local authority and local businesses to introduce:

• Improved sense of safety through the station neighbours scheme which will help particularly vulnerable customers

• More dropped kerbs and located in the right places

• Measures to reduce inconsiderate parking

• Using the existing car park as an interchange site to encourage cycling

18 Making the Station a better place DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

Short Term

• To sign up businesses as station neighbours. • To develop relationships between station adopters and other key stakeholders. • To work with the Borough Council to improve on foot access to the station by managing on street parking. • To support the development of the station adoption group. • To explore opportunities for the community group to start planting and painting at the station.

Medium Term

• To work with the Borough Council to look at opportunities to develop the car park into an interchange site set up for cycling storage, electric charging points, blue badge holder spaces, and drop off facilities. • To increase platform shelter to provide sufficient dry space for customers who are waiting for trains at peak times. • To faciliate discussions about the uplift of rail services at the station in line with the increase in housing around the station.

Long Term

• To restore the historic station building. • To look at improvements which can be made to improve accessibility at the station, this could include applying for minor works funding etc.

19 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 Water Orton station services. OPTIONS FOR DELIVERY

Section 106 External Funding Commercial Revenue Minor Works Third Party Funding

Section 106 funding can • Warwickshire County Opportunities for There is an opportunity Customer and Communities be secured when a third Council enterprise to get funding from the Improvement Fund (CCIF). Subject party • North Warwickshire by looking at commercial West Midlands Trains to Department for Transport (DFT) development relates Borough Council opportunities at the minor works budget which approvals, West Midlands Trains to the station (in planning • West Midland Trains station. is avaliable. This could has an annual budget 2020-21 of terms). • Network Rail be spent on accessibility £1.7million to support schemes that • Rail Heritage Fund improvements at the are proposed, developed and delivered • The Coventry and station. by our customers, communities and Warwickshire LEP stakeholders. This exciting programme • ACoRP Community will run every year for six years. Rail Partnership (to support station National Stations Improvements adoption) Programme (NSIP)

EASY WINS

Cycle Rail Community and Volunteering resources

As a result of the Cycle Rail Fund awarding in 2019, it was announced an extra Investment of time from the established Water Orton Community 2,300 cycle spaces to be built at 48 stations across , enabling commuters to Action Group, who have been accepted as station adopters. cycle directly to the station and lock-up their bike securely.

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

Action Plan 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 Action Responsibility Timescale impact on sustainable travel. To sign up local West Midlands Short businsesses as Railway/ North station neighbours. Warwickshire Targets Borough Council Year One - No passenger growth target in view of COVID-19 impact To work with National West Midlands Short Express to create Railway/ National Year Two: A mode share increase by 2% of customers accessing the a joint Water Orton Express station by walking and cycling. ticket. To explore the West Midlands Medium Year Three - Passenger growth of 6-8% (from pre COVID-19 baseline) 'interchange site' Railway/ North in tandem with capacity increase on trains concept for the long Warwickshire stay car park. Borough Council Year Three: A mode share increase by 5% of customers accessing the station by walking and cycling. To work with the West Midlands Medium borough council to Railway/ North Year Five: 20% of customers accessing the station by walking and look at improving Warwickshire cycle. pedestrian access. Borough Council Year One: Sign-up local businesses as station neighbours. To provide a second West Midlands Medium shelter further down Railway/ Network Rail Year Two: To have created an 'interchange space' using the long stay the platform. car park.

To accelerate land West Midlands Medium to Long Year Two: To have worked with the Borough Council to implement car assembly Railway/ North parking measures to improve pedestrian access. Warwickshire Borough Council/ Year Three: To install a second shelter further down the platform. Warwickshire County Council

21 The 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 – working with North Warwickshire Borough Council to tackle overspill parking and station community adoption as examples.

• We will continue to engage with our stakeholders so they have their say in how the Prospectus develops and delivers.

• We will use the Prospectus to maximise funding opportunities from land use developments in the town and surrounding area.

• 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.

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 to 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

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