Train Times New life for local lines News, views and features from the world of Community Rail No.60 Spring 2011 In this issue: The ‘Big Society’ and Community Rail Station Adoption Partnership Profile FGW and Community Rail Arrivals and Departures Digging Deep - Tidying up at Styal Full story inside... This issue of Train Times has been kindly sponsored by: 1 This issue of Train Times has kindly been sponsored by First In this issue… Hello and Welcome... Page 2 Hello and Welcome I’d like to start this issue of Train Page 3 Sponsor’s Spotlight Times with a special thank you to Pages 4-7 Regional Round-Up First Great Western for their Page 7 Community Rail Awards 2011 generous sponsorship of Train Page 8 ‘The Big Society’ Times, which will pave the way for Page 9 Station Adoption Seminar the sponsorship of future editions Pages 10-11 Partnership Profile – and help secure the future of this The Bishop Line important window on the world Pages 12-13 First Great Western and of Community Rail. Community Rail To add to that, we also have the excellent news that Minister of State for Transport Page 14 Arrivals and Departures Theresa Villiers has announced a three-year funding Page 15 Community Rail Partnerships package for ACoRP. This alone is rewarding given the Page 16 Community Rail Diary current financial climate and it means that ACoRP can continue supporting and developing Community Rail Principal Funders and throughout England and Wales. What is even more impressive however is that the agreement also allows for Sponsors increases in the Designated Community Rail Delegated Fund to £100,000 per annum and the English Small Association of Train Operating Companies Grants fund to £20,000 per annum. Add to this the DfT Rail annual £21,000 provided by the Welsh Assembly Gov- Network Rail ernment for CRPs in Wales and we have an amazing Welsh Assembly Government £141,000 available to develop Community Rail! This indicates an unprecedented level of support for Commu- nity Rail from both administrations and should provide Corporate Sponsors ample evidence for you to argue the case for continued Abellio funding at a local level. Angel Trains Ltd As if this wasn’t enough, our earlier ‘Big Society’ East Coast Main Line Co conference in Lewes elicited similar support from Under Secretary of State for Transport Norman Baker. Both he Greater Manchester ITA and Nick Starkey, Strategic Policy Manager at the Office Kilbride Community Rail for Civil Society, clearly recognised that Community Kirklees Metropolitan District Council Rail was the Big Society and were happy to champion our Lancashire County Council cause. I know this doesn’t resolve your immediate Merseytravel financial worries but this support at a very high govern- Northern Rail ment level should give you sufficient ammunition to Passenger Focus argue your case and I hope, shows that ACoRP has been working hard on your behalf. First TransPennine Express Despite this excellent news, we’re not in a position * We welcome additional corporate sponsorship from the to rest on our laurels. There’s still a great deal to do and I railway industry. Please contact our General Manager Neil believe that within the industry there’s a new willingness Buxton if you are interested in sponsoring us. to look at different ways of maintaining – and yes, perhaps even operating – our rural and local lines. The Contributors increased grant funding is there to help you do that! Before I close, I would like to make a final plea. I This edition of Train Times was edited by Nigel Barber know it’s difficult for you all at the moment and that ([email protected]) and designed by Philip Jenkinson ([email protected]). both time and money are a scarce resource. However, our seminars and conferences are there to provide you with Special thanks go to Lucy Tennyson and all of our contributors for their ongoing hard work and support. the wherewithal to fight back and to thrive and survive. We make every effort to make them affordable and are happy Front cover picture – Hard at work at Styal Station on to look at other ways of enabling you to attend if it proves the Crewe to Manchester Airport line, as part of the national difficult. So please, do try and join your colleagues whenever ‘Big Tidy Up’ event possible – remember, there’s strength in numbers! Neil Buxton, General Manager 2 Sponsor’s Spotlight Why Community Rail matters Mark Hopwood - Managing Director of this issue’s sponsor, First Great Western. First Great Western operates over impressive growth in recent years. 1,500 services a day across 270 We work closely with the stations. Our 4,000 employees partnerships in our region on a work together to ensure our 89 day-to-day basis and we are ex- million passengers get where they tremely proud of all that we have need to be going. Impressive achieved together. In late 2010, this numbers - however the aspect of excellent progress was recognised our business that I’m probably when we were awarded ‘Outstand- most proud of is our strong link ing Delivery ofhe Community Rail with Community Rail. Strategy’ at the Community Rail We support four Commu- Awards, organised by the Associa- nity Rail Partnerships (CRPs), tion of Community Rail Partner- including the award winning ships (ACoRP). four years ago, when we had lots of Severnside, Devon and Cornwall Seven top prizes were criticism about the management and Heart of Wessex CRPs. awarded to First Great Western and service provision of our local While each of these organisa- and our partners at the ceremony, lines. Now we are clearly the tions is specific to the communi- which celebrates outstanding industry leader in Community ties they serve, they have proved achievement in Community Rail Rail, which is something we should invaluable in championing and development. These awards are all be very proud of. supporting new services in areas testament to all the hard work we A big part of this success is where local commitment has been do with our partners to offer our down to the dedication of First essential in building a business support and encourage local Great Western colleagues includ- case. Our local branch lines are communities to use our services. ing our Regional Manager - West really important to our business This is an amazing turna- of England, Julian Crow, who and have shown some of the most round compared to where we were works tirelessly with our partners and local authorities to make local services more welcoming and popular. But my strongest tribute must go to the volunteers and staff of the Community Rail Partner- ships, many of whom balance other careers and family commit- ments with getting the best service for their local community. These strong relationships with local rail groups are key to delivering the best possible service for our customers and I’m looking forward to building on this even further. Community Rail is about partnership and together we can and will continue to go from strength to strength in the future. 3 Regional Round-Up What’s going on in your neck of the woods Royal visit for Cromford Restoration work at Cromford Station on the Derwent Valley Line (Matlock to Derby) received official recog- nition when HRH the Prince of Wales paid a visit. Prince Charles praised the project, which has been led by the Arkwright Society and which has seen the main station building repaired and converted to office space, with private owners restoring the waiting room on the other side of the line into holiday accommodation. Commented Sarah McLeod, Chief Executive of the Arkwright Society: “The visit was a real boost for the Society. It was wonderful that the Prince took the time to talk to the people who worked on the project, many of whom are volunteers, as it’s important that they get the recognition they deserve.” The two projects were jointly awarded the Railway Heritage Trust Conservation Award in the National Railway Heritage Awards 2009. Joining the Prince for the visit was Derbyshire Prince Charles meets Alastair Morley of the Derwent Valley CRP Dales MP Patrick McLoughlin, along with councillors, (far right) and Councillor Lewis Rose, Leader of Derbyshire Dales heritage bosses, volunteers and local residents. District Council. Accrington Eco Station open for business Accrington Eco Station has officially opened, leading the way for the future design of sustainable stations across the UK and Europe. Led by Lancashire County Council, the project has been successful in attracting support via the SusStations (Sustainable Stations) arm of the European Regional Development Fund’s Interreg IVB pro- gramme. The project has also been awarded a BREEAM* Excellent rating for its holisitic approach towards the design, construction and operation of the station. Owned by Lancashire County Coun- Accrington Eco Station cil and operated by Northern Rail, Accrington Eco Station also incorporates a Community Resource Centre, projects that have taken place along the East Lancashire known affectionately as the ‘bunker’ and operated by the line and is supported by web based information that can East Lancashire CRP. be accessed at www.communityraillancashire.co.uk/ The ‘bunker’ will be used by local schools wanting learning-zone. to know more about eco technologies, with a comple- mentary DVD launched in March. Called ‘Greening the *BREEAM (BRE Environmental Assessment Method) is the leading and most widely used environmental assessment method for East Lancashire line,’ the DVD looks at a range of eco buildings. 4 Regional Round-Up Mid Cheshire stations rewarded Longton gets a lift… The Mid Cheshire Line’s Northwich and Greenbank stations made their mark at the Cheshire Best Kept Art students at Sandon Business and Enterprise College Station awards.