CRP annual report 2013

Working in partnership to deliver a
railway with strong community involvement
Annual Report
2013
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Introduction
The Sussex Community Rail
Partnership (SCRP) works in
partnership to reconnect the
community with its railway.
This annual report has a wide range
of examples of projects which the
SCRP undertakes in the community.
These projects demonstrate how
the SCRP is well placed to draw
together local communities, local
authorities and the railway industry.
I am particularly pleased with the progress made in expanding
the number of lines covered by the SCRP and the strong
support provided by our partners during this period. The
value and quality of the work is recognized in the continuing
winning of local and national awards.
I hope you will find this annual report informative and if you
have an idea for a future event please contact the SCRP.
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
Marshlink Line guide
The line guide shows all the wonderful places along the
Marshlink which can be visited by public transport. It gives
details which make planning your journey easier. Hastings
Borough Council and 1066 Country Marketing very kindly
arrange for the design and printing to be done and the SCRP
does all the checking and fundraising. The guides for each of
our 5 lines go out to local tourist information centres, shops,
events and the like. People seem to really appreciate them
and the stations, and tourist information centres are always
asking for more to be sent to them. The SCRP feels that
the guides encourage people to take the train for a day out,
these guides are at the heart of what we do – promoting the
train, not just as a means of travel but as a means of enjoying
yourself and bringing valuable additional economic activity into
the area
Line guides are also available for the Uckfield line, Tonbridge to
Reigate, Arun Valley and the Seaford Line.
Roger Lanham
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SUSTAINABILITY
Forest Explorer
Originally a deer hunting forest in Norman times, Ashdown
Forest is now one of the largest open spaces in the South
East. It is a great place for walking and enjoying spectacular
views over the Sussex countryside and is known the world
over as the ‘home’ of Winnie-the-Pooh.
This partnership project has delivered a composite public
transport access guide which shows how to get to the
Forest using rail and bus. Linked to this is a “run around”
bus ticket and special offers at tourist locations across the
Forest. The combined efforts of SCRP, three bus companies,
Southern Rail, Wealden District Council, East Sussex County
Council and the Ashdown Forest Tourism Association will be
reinforced by the Wealdlink Community Bus next year who
will run on summer Sundays, into the heart of the Forest.
Improving access to stations by public transport, walking and
cycling is a fundamental objective of the SCRP.
INVOLVING THE
COMMUNITY
London Road
This is a Station Partnership which exemplifies all the aspects
that the scheme tried to create, community engagement,
community run, inspirational, positive, adaptable, organised,
working in and with the wider world. London Road is, in
effect, just three very small areas of the station turned into a
community garden. In reality it has brought together the local
community, the station staff, the railway management, and the
council. It has demonstrated a positive can do attitude which
has embraced the opportunities for outside funding, been
involved with national events, such as the Big Dig and done
its bit to tackle climate change with the community compost
scheme. It has even out grown meeting at people’s houses
and needs a dedicated space – the station building being the
obvious answer!
Station Partnerships now exist at over 35 stations across the
Southern network.
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“The Sussex Community Rail Partnership is a very good example
of the benefits that can be achieved when working in partnership
with a broad range of local and national partners to improve
the link between communities and their railway. From the rail
travel and safety education work with youngsters at school
through many station partnership schemes to the joint bus rail
promotion of services there has been a gratifying improvement in
community engagement with their local station, improved station
environments and increased rail use across the area where the
Partnership works.”
Norman Baker
M.P. for Lewes.
Minister of State, Home Office and previously Parliamentary
Under Secretary for Transport
Five line groups working with
communities across Kent,
Surrey, West Sussex , Brighton
and Hove and East Sussex.
Sussex Community Rail Partnership, past winner of the best CRP in the country
award and many individual awards at the 2013 and previous annual National
Community Rail Awards. Winner this year of the best Hospitality, Tourism
and Leisure organisation in the West Sussex Business Awards. SCRP aims to
reconnect the community with its railway. It works in partnership to deliver
partners objectives that relate to economic growth and sustainable travel.
As well as the transport providers, local authorities and representatives of the
community the partnership values the full involvement of major travel locations
including Gatwick Airport and the South Downs National Park.
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WORKING WITH
YOUNG PEOPLE
Uckfield Schools Safety Day
The SCRP
supported the
annual safety
event and helped
to deliver the
rail element
and we used
our partnership
network to
encourage other
agencies to attend.
Southern Rail provided the Southern Bus and arranged for
the Network Rail interactive educational lorry to attend. The
SCRP spoke to the British Transport Police who were pleased
to be involved. Southern Rail kindly provided 100’s of stickers,
which were added to the SCRP promotional items and this
meant a haul of goodies for the children to takeaway.
British Transport Police sent a lock up van and a motorbike,
the Fire brigade a fire engine and a display vehicle that
showed safety cartoons. Waitrose sent a lorry loaded with
free fruit and snacks and a roadway was built for the children
to learn road safety on. There was a speed camera allowing
the children to see how fast they could run and much, much
more.
SCRP carries out many training and exploration programmes with
schools in East and West Sussex to encourage responsible and
informed use of sustainable transport, the trains, for school and
leisure travel.
ART IN THE
COMMUNITY
Chichester Art project
The Itchenor and West
Wittering Art Group
working with the CRP
and Southern produced
a series of travel posters
in the famous Southern
pre-war style which were
displayed at Chichester
station. The display
comprised 23 canvasses
around a central larger
canvas showing the
Jubilee theme, all the
posters had the sun-burst
theme and depicted the
wonderful places to visit
and attractions around the Chichester area. To support the
posters on display an information brochure was available from
the station, for visitors to enjoy as well as leaflets from the
featured locations and the Arun Valley Line. A series of
postcards were also printed.
The provision of art work at stations by the community is a very
positive way of encouraging community involvement by young and
old. It helps to brighten the station environment making it feel
safer and providing additional interest for passengers as they wait
for the train. Recent examples include Christs Hospital, Barnham,
Horsham Southwick and Bexhill.
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COMMUNITY
CELEBRATION
Arundel 150th
A community festive day at Arundel station to celebrate its opening
150 years ago was marked by the Mayor of Arundel presenting a
commemorative plaque to Laura Lee, who has worked in the ticket
office for several years and prizes to the 3 winners of the 150th
Birthday Card competition. Worthing Silver Band provided musical
entertainment and a BBQ was supplied by the Aldingbourne Trust,
who plant and service the colourful planters at the station. A 1929
vintage bus provided a free link to the town and there were stalls for
model railway layouts, railway books, local canal trusts, walk guides,
cycle maintenance and vintage games. Network Rail hosted tours
of the vintage signal box, still working. The event included a Railway
Children themed parade leaving from the station to mark the opening
of the festival in the town. It was followed the next week by a similar
celebration marking the opening of the Littlehampton station 150
years ago, with that town mayor also unveiling a plaque. There was
also a chance to visit a 377 train parked in a siding and join in vintage
games. The day was made possible through the partnership working
between Sussex CRP and Southern Railway, with the support of
funding from the South Downs National Park, the Association
of Community Rail Partnerships and the West Sussex Rail Users
Association.
The SCRP organises local activities,
greatly helped by volunteers and
partners. Coffee mornings, carols at
Christmas . and decorated trees in
stations. The SCRP also has stalls at
village and town fayres in order to
help publicise the railway and the
potential trips that visitors and the local
community can make.
Keeping in Touch
We would like to hear from you and we are also very happy
to provide more information so do please get in touch.
Sussex Community Rail Partnership
Lewes Station, Lewes BN7 2UP
SCRP Ltd.
The Old Rectory, Litlington, Polegate, East Sussex BN26 9RB
T: 07891 556 897
E: sam@sussexcrp.org
W: www.sussexcrp.org
twitter.com/SussexCRP
facebook.com/SussexCRP
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SCRP working in partnership with East Sussex County Council, West
Sussex County Council, Kent County Council, Brighton and Hove City Council,
Southern Railway, Network Rail, Gatwick Airport, South Downs National Park
Authority and local councils, community groups, tourist bodies and rail passenger’s
support groups across South East England.
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