Community Rail in Lancashire James Syson – Chair ELCRP & CLCRP Transport Strategy Team Leader Blackburn with Darwen Council THE COMMUNITY RAIL STRATEGY The Community Rail Strategy, launched in November 2004, proposed practical and pragmatic ways of managing rural and local railways. The Strategy aims to offer ‘new life for local lines’ through a community driven approach - securing the future of these routes by putting them on a more sustainable footing. The four aims of the strategy are: • Increasing revenue • Reducing costs • Increasing community involvement • Stimulation of economic and social regeneration At the heart of the Strategy are Community Rail Partnerships (CRPs), which bring together local stakeholders to support the development of local rail services. CRP core membership is usually the lead local authority (often the county council) and the train operator and other commercial and non commercial members may be active according to local circumstances. THE LANCASHIRE FIVE Clitheroe Line Community Rail Partnership East Lancashire Community Rail Partnership Leeds, Lancaster & Morecambe Community Rail Partnership South Fylde Line Community Rail Partnership West of Lancashire Community Rail Partnership COMMUNITY RAIL LANCASHIRE WEBSITE READING BETWEEN THE LINES PARTNERSHIP LEAFLETS DALESRAIL EXPLORE THE YORKSHIRE DALES & CUMBRIA A unique way to travel from Blackpool, Preston and East Lancashire directly to the Yorkshire Dales and Cumbria CLITHEROE LINE COMMUNITY RAIL PARTNERSHIP • Partnership formed December 2006 • Successor body to the Clitheroe Line Development Group • Covers the line between Manchester Victoria and Clitheroe • Formally designated by the DfT in March 2007 as a Community Rail Service CLITHEROE LINE COMMUNITY RAIL PARTNERSHIP Headlines Issues • 1.9m passengers 2012/13 • Capacity on trains especially at • Top 3 flows: peak periods Blackburn – Manchester • Severe overcrowding on Blackburn – Clitheroe morning peak trains Bromley Cross – Manchester • Line capacity between • Top 3 station patronage Blackburn & Bolton increases 2008/09 -2012/13: Langho 90% • Ageing train fleet Hall I’ Th’ Wood 87% • Revenue protection Ramsgreave & Wilpshire 63% • Impact of recession EAST LANCASHIRE COMMUNITY RAIL PARTNERSHIP •Partnership formed April 2005 •Covers the line between Preston and Colne •Formally designated by the DfT in March 2007 as a Community Rail Line and Service •Joint Management Group with CLCRP •Annual Action Plan EAST LANCASHIRE COMMUNITY RAIL PARTNERSHIP Headlines Issues • 958,000 passengers 2012/13 • Frequency of local service • Top 3 flows: • Quality of rolling stock Blackburn – Preston • Capacity issues Gannow Junction to Colne Blackburn – Nelson • Does it serve the right Blackburn – Burnley destinations • Top 3 station patronage • Journey time especially increases 2008/09 – 2012/13 from Pendle Brierfield 77% • Low usage stations Cherry Tree 68% Nelson 67% MANAGEMENT GROUP The Joint EL & CLCRP Management Group: • Meets bi monthly • Route Prospectus • Terms of Reference • Annual Action Plan • AGM – election of Chair, Vice Chair & Partnership Secretary • Agreed budget and funding • Joint CL & ELCRP Marketing Sub Group Joint CL & ELCRRP Management Group Partners: • Lancashire County Council (Partnership Secretary) • Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council (Chair) • TfGM • Northern Rail • Network Rail • Ribble Valley Rail (Vice Chair) • Friends of Pendle Stations • Association of Community Rail Partnerships (ex officio) • Community Rail Development Officer (ex officio) THE BIG IDEA LINE BRANDED NOTICE BOARDS PENDLE CONNECT & EAST LANCASHIRE DAY RANGER GREAT BRITISH RHYTHM & BLUES FESTIVAL ACCRINGTON ECO STATION –THE NEW HOME FOR COMMUNITY RAIL ACTIVITIES Image courtesy of Community Rail Lancashire EXPLORE THE RIBBLE VALLEY LINE DVD – BRIAN THE BULL GREAT WALL OF DAISYFIELD EXPLORE THE RIBBLE VALLEY LINE BROOKSIDE SCHOOL HEART OF HUNCOAT Partners: Funding: BwD LTP3 & LSTF (BwD CONNECT) ELCRP & CR Designated Fund Artwork at the Station Corridor investment Local bus shelters get the CRP treatment! QUESTIONS? James Syson Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council [email protected] 01254 585776 .