An exciting new step forward to rejeuvenation of the line, its service and its use Meeting went well ... [Meeting Introduction]. [initial report] Didn't make the meeting? Register interest [here] Further information - info@transwilts.org.uk |
What is a Community Rail Partnership?
The folks who specify and run a rail service across a whole region can't be fully aware of the nuances of the local communities for each and every route ... and those local communities cannot be 'rail experts' able to know what is and isn't practical for their area. But the rail professionals do know their stuff, and the communities do know their areas.
A Community Rail Partnership brings together everyone who is involved in - or who has an interest in - a rail service, for the mutual benefit of all. Successful partnerships are already running through Wiltshire - the "Heart of Wessex" partnership supports the Weymouth to Bristol line via Westbury, and the "Three Rivers" looks after services from Salisbury southwards to Romsey and Southampton. You have only to look at the literature and the timetables for those routes to see their success, or talk to the railway staff and volunteers involved to realise just how much has been achieved.
The "TransWilts" line links south and west Wiltshire to Chippenham and Swindon, with a meagre service of just two trains a day, the timing of which is less than ideal. And yet this is a busy travel corridor along which people want to travel. There's an unfortunate history of just how we ended up with such an inappropriate service, but the need for something far better has now been accepted at a high level.
With the general agreement that "something must be done", it's now the time for everyone who's interested to get together and help do that "something" rather than bickering about the poor service. And a "Community Rail Partnership" is an ideal vehicle. We have held preliminary discussions with key players, who are all very positive, and we're holding a launch meeting on 26th March at Bridge House, Trowbridge, at 7:30 p.m. - and all are welcome.
For people who can't make that particular evening - we still want you on board. Please visit http://www.transwilts.org.uk and register your interest.
We don't know yet - we're having a launch meeting to find out what the community wants ... but we do have a lot of ideas, some of which are fairly well developed. They include:
* Timetable sheet and through routes.
* Regular days out and suggestion programs
* Market and encourage the use of existing services
* Assist with research and business case for amended service level
* Station sheets for stations served.
* Information services and points.
* Jazz Train and other special trips.
* Conducted and self directed walks
* Community Noticeboards, artwork and floral displays
* Station improvements and adoption
* User and area feed back to train sponsors and operators.
* Help find match funding.
* Facilitate Integration with other transport means
* Support local amendents to fare structures and performance targets
We're working closely - VERY closely - with the other local CRPs, and learning from other CRPs across a wider area. Some of the plans we have are innovative, but other are tried and tested elsewhere and we are learning from them; CRPs are not "commercial in confidence" between each other - they share and grow and hopefully we'll give something back too in due course! There is also an Association of Community Rail Partnerships that we'll be proposing to join.
We'll need to set up a constitution and organisation ... and that will require volunteers and funding and a steering committee. Which will allow us to open doors, and perhaps have part time help. We've got a separate planning thread underway for this side of the CRP; this will be a proportion of our early activities, although we also have a number of key projects in the pipeline which will be active (if agreed) in the very short term.
Local, regional and national authorities. The rail industry. Local transport and travel groups. Special interest groups. Economic developers. Local businesses and schools. Individuals. The tourist industry. ...
Who is ALREADY involved? Lots of those - through early discussions or other groups such as Save the Train, MRDG, WWRUG and so on.
This Website is currently operated by the Save the Train Campaign
email - info@transwilts.org.uk • phone - 01225 708225 • post - 404, The Spa, Melksham SN12 6QL
March 2010
A Community Rail Partnership brings together everyone who is involved in - or who has an interest in - a rail service, for the mutual benefit of all. Successful partnerships are already running through Wiltshire - the "Heart of Wessex" partnership supports the Weymouth to Bristol line via Westbury, and the "Three Rivers" looks after services from Salisbury southwards to Romsey and Southampton. You have only to look at the literature and the timetables for those routes to see their success, or talk to the railway staff and volunteers involved to realise just how much has been achieved.
Why set up a Community Rail Partnership for the "TransWilts"?
The "TransWilts" line links south and west Wiltshire to Chippenham and Swindon, with a meagre service of just two trains a day, the timing of which is less than ideal. And yet this is a busy travel corridor along which people want to travel. There's an unfortunate history of just how we ended up with such an inappropriate service, but the need for something far better has now been accepted at a high level.
With the general agreement that "something must be done", it's now the time for everyone who's interested to get together and help do that "something" rather than bickering about the poor service. And a "Community Rail Partnership" is an ideal vehicle. We have held preliminary discussions with key players, who are all very positive, and we're holding a launch meeting on 26th March at Bridge House, Trowbridge, at 7:30 p.m. - and all are welcome.
For people who can't make that particular evening - we still want you on board. Please visit http://www.transwilts.org.uk and register your interest.
What will a TransWilts Community Rail Partnership do?
We don't know yet - we're having a launch meeting to find out what the community wants ... but we do have a lot of ideas, some of which are fairly well developed. They include:
* Timetable sheet and through routes.
* Regular days out and suggestion programs
* Market and encourage the use of existing services
* Assist with research and business case for amended service level
* Station sheets for stations served.
* Information services and points.
* Jazz Train and other special trips.
* Conducted and self directed walks
* Community Noticeboards, artwork and floral displays
* Station improvements and adoption
* User and area feed back to train sponsors and operators.
* Help find match funding.
* Facilitate Integration with other transport means
* Support local amendents to fare structures and performance targets
We're working closely - VERY closely - with the other local CRPs, and learning from other CRPs across a wider area. Some of the plans we have are innovative, but other are tried and tested elsewhere and we are learning from them; CRPs are not "commercial in confidence" between each other - they share and grow and hopefully we'll give something back too in due course! There is also an Association of Community Rail Partnerships that we'll be proposing to join.
Admin Stuff
We'll need to set up a constitution and organisation ... and that will require volunteers and funding and a steering committee. Which will allow us to open doors, and perhaps have part time help. We've got a separate planning thread underway for this side of the CRP; this will be a proportion of our early activities, although we also have a number of key projects in the pipeline which will be active (if agreed) in the very short term.
Who's going to be involved.
Local, regional and national authorities. The rail industry. Local transport and travel groups. Special interest groups. Economic developers. Local businesses and schools. Individuals. The tourist industry. ...
Who is ALREADY involved? Lots of those - through early discussions or other groups such as Save the Train, MRDG, WWRUG and so on.
This Website is currently operated by the Save the Train Campaign
email - info@transwilts.org.uk • phone - 01225 708225 • post - 404, The Spa, Melksham SN12 6QL
March 2010