Northern is the largest train operator in the UK operating local and regional train services across the North serving hundreds of rural communities as well as major conurbations.
They have a growing network of ‘community rail partnerships’ on most of their rural routes, particularly in the North West. These partnerships bring together local businesses, the community/voluntary sector and local authorities with the shared aim of providing better rail services, promoting sustainable access into rural areas and assisting in rural regeneration.
Their community strategy has led to enhanced train services on some routes and improved station facilities. By marketing their rural services to urban areas they have increased the number of visitors into rural areas, who then increase spend in the rural economy.
Community rail partnerships offer a means of engaging with local tourism providers, avoiding dependence on the car. Very often they make the train journey itself a tourist experience, with music trains offering real ale, and volunteer guides on some lines describing the route and its scenery.
The partnerships have led to major increases in ridership on rural routes and improved facilities at stations, very often by levering-in external funding. They also actively encourage an integrated approach, working with bus operators as well as encouraging people to walk or cycle to stations.
In addition to more ‘corridor’ based community rail partnerships they are developing the concept of ‘station partnerships’ where local community groups ‘adopt’ their local station and provide improved facilities and a more welcoming environment. In some cases they are making redundant station buildings available to community groups for a range of community uses, e.g. resource centres, art galleries, youth cafes and local history archives/study centres.
