Community Rail Partnerships
Community Rail
Partnerships have become an increasingly popular means through
which local communities can become involved in their local
railways. They are essentially informal associations between
various interested parties, usually local authorities, train
operators, Network Rail, rail user groups, and other community
organisations, which are signed up to a joint set of aims and
objectives. Their primary purpose, as defined in the
Government’s Community Rail Development Strategy (links to
which are on the right), is to re-think the way in which local
railways are managed, so that patronage can be boosted at the same
time as lowering costs (and ultimately subsidy).
The approach taken by CRPs to railway management is vastly
different to traditional practices. CRPs take a community-based
approach, encouraging people to take an interest and get involved
in their local railway through a variety of means, such as
community events, special trains, and promotional campaigns. The
work of the CRP is jointly funded by its member organisations, and
CRPs normally appoint one (or more) Community Rail Officer, who
undertakes most of the CRPs work.
Community Rail Partnerships have become so popular that the
Department for Transport has adopted a national Community Rail
Development Strategy, which was subsequently updated by a review of
the strategy. This has re-affirmed the importance of Community Rail
at a national level, as well as to the locals who benefit from
them!
Community Rail Development Strategy (648kb)
Review of the Community Rail Development Strategy (657kb)
Association of Community Rail Partnerships
CRPs are represented
nationally by the Association of Community Rail
Partnerships, or ACoRP. ACoRP works with decision-makers at a
local, regional and national level to ensure that local
rail’s important role is fully recognised. Their work
includes:
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Helping identify innovative solutions for local railways
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Disseminating examples of good practice
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Working with local stakeholders to develop new partnerships
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Supporting an expanding membership
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Organises training sessions for members
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Brings out regular reports on community rail issues
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Runs four national conferences each year
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Maintains a lively, user-friendly website
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Produces an email newsletter ‘Train on Line’
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Publishes a top quality magazine ‘Train Times’
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Encourages people to think out of their trains!
ACoRP currently estimates that there are now over 50
partnerships in the UK, all of which are bring untold benefits to
their communities. We hope you enjoy the benefits that we
bring!
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