50 signatures reached
To: Department for Transport, Association of Community Rail Partnerships, East Midland Trains, Arriva Rail North
North Notts and Lincs need a Community Rail Partnership
In oder to improve rail travel in Bassetlaw and Northern Lincolnshire we require financial and practical support for a new community rail partnership covering services to 11 stations (Shireoaks, Worksop, Retford, Gainsborugh Lea Road and Central, Kirton-in -Lindsey, Brigg, Barnetby, Market Rasen, Saxilby and Lincoln).
Why is this important?
Community rail partnerships (CRP) have been instrumental in achieving spectacular increases in use of rail through innovative marketing, improved services and better station facilities.
Their work includes improving bus links to stations, developing walking and cycling routes, bringing station buildings back to life, art and education projects and organising special events which promote the railway and its relevance to the community.
Basically its getting more folks to use trains and encouraging them to use bikes, buses and walking and not use their cars. More passengers strengthen the case for more trains and better stations. In our area we have Gainsborough Central, the worst station in the land according to the Times served by three trains week ( in each direction), all on Saturday.
GRaB (Gainsborough, Retford and Brigg rail and bus users group) has already achieved much that would normally be done by a CRP, the latest being the publication of the Gainsborough Travel Guide with all trains and buses in the area shown in one simple guide.
However there is a limit to the work that can be done by a users group. A CRP recognised by ACoRP and the DfT has a stronger relationship with train companies who are obliged to work with them.
