The Strategic Rail Authority is consulting on new proposals to maximise the potential and sustainability of 1,300 miles of local and rural railways throughout England and Wales.

In a consultation paper published today, the SRA sets out why, and how, designating community routes would open the way to a fresh approach to how they are operated, maintained and marketed. The objective is to put these lines on a sustainable basis for the medium to long term, securing their future.

The SRA proposes a strategy to:

• Increase passenger volume and income
• Involve local communities more closely in the development of their railways
• Make better use of the subsidy currently allocated
• Boost tourism through inventive timetabling

If adopted, the strategy would apply typically to local and rural lines with relatively low speeds, where lightweight trains are used on an hourly frequency or less. Such routes account for about 12.5% of the national network, including 420 stations. The proposals would not apply to lines in greater London, nor independent or heritage railways.

SRA Chairman Richard Bowker said:

"This is about keeping and developing lines, not closing them. These lines are key to local communities and economies. School transport, freight and tourism are all dependent on these routes. They need a sustainable future and this consultation is the start of it. This is about liberating these lines, not losing them."

Paul Salveson, Executive Director of the Association of Community Rail Partnerships, added:

"We welcome this radical new approach to making more of local railways, which builds on the success of Community Rail Partnerships and will be a catalyst for rural regeneration. The SRA has set out a positive vision for the future that will remove uncertainty for Britain's branch lines, and we strongly endorse this approach."

Examples of existing community initiatives on branch lines:

• The Cambrian line (Shrewsbury - Aberystwyth/Pwllheli) is the line for gastronomes. The old stations have recently been converted to a wine bar (Newtown), Wetherspoons pub and Curry restaurant (Aberystwyth) and pub (Portmadoc) in addition to the new station buffet at Machynlleth. Welshpool is a clothing store and Barmouth is being converted to provide tourist information.
• A 'virtual' branch line runs from the Penistone line to Holmfirth in Yorkshire (location for 'Last of the Summer Wine') provided by bus, funded by the community rail partnership. Train connections are guaranteed and through tickets are provided.
• The Penistone Rail Partnership also runs its own community car (car hire) business.
• On the Settle & Carlisle line, volunteer guides travel on holiday trains to show passengers points of interest and give them an idea of the history of the line and the area it serves.
• Many stations are supported and maintained by volunteers. The station at West Runton in Norfolk is adopted by the local Women's Institute, which holds tea parties on the platform to raise money for improvements.
• The Heart of Wales line (Shrewsbury - Swansea) has a reputation for award-winning station gardens, especially at Dolau (Powys). The vision of the "Friends" of the Heart of Wales is to green the whole line and create a 120 mile station garden.
• The indefatigable Frank Roach, Highland's Rail Partnership Officer, has been behind the establishment of freight on the line north of Inverness that saw no freight trains at all ten years ago. On busy days, the line now sees up to four freight trains a day - more than the passenger service.
• On the Esk Valley line in North Yorkshire, the line is also used by steam trains from the neighbouring North York Moors Railway (of 'Heartbeat' fame).
• The Penistone Line Partnership and the Friends of Handforth Station have contributed to sculptures and paintings at their stations.
• Notes to Editors:
• The document, Community Rail Development: A consultation paper on a strategy for community railways, can be found by clicking here
• The SRA plans to use responses from this consultation to help inform the development of a strategy for Community Railways to be published in July 2004. The deadline for responses is May 28
• The community railways model has already been adopted for discrete areas of the Dutch and German rail networks
• A similar approach to the community rail proposals has been adopted on the Esk Valley line (part of the Arriva Trains Northern network)
• The SRA is working closely to develop this strategy with the Association of Community Rail Partnerships (AcoRP): www.acorp.uk.com

SRA Community Rail Development Consultation - Third Party Endorsements

"This consultation provides a valuable opportunity to think radically about community rail and how it can best deliver for passengers in the future. The key to successful local railways is innovative thinking and community involvement in shaping a railway that meets local needs."

Stewart Francis, Chairman, Rail Passengers Council

"We welcome this radical new approach to making more of local railways, which builds on the success of Community Rail Partnerships and will be a catalyst for rural regeneration. The SRA has set out a positive vision for the future that will remove uncertainty for Britain's branch lines, and we strongly endorse this approach."

Paul Salveson, General Manager, Association of Community Rail Partnerships

"Too often our lightly-used lines have, at best, been overlooked and, at worst, actively run-down. Rarely have we stopped to ask how we can improve performance on the railway's Cinderellas. The SRA has, and the solution they have identified is the active involvement of the very communities they serve. Transport 2000 congratulates the SRA and the work of ACoRP and others who are breathing new life into our railway."

Stephen Joseph, Executive Director, Transport 2000

"As part of the important work to build the volume and value of international and domestic tourism, we welcome this initiative to encourage greater use of local train services for trips within the UK. We hope that local people and visitors will use the Community Railways to explore and enjoy Britain through day trips and longer journeys around Britain."

Sarah Berryman, Travel Industry Business Consultant, VisitBritain.

"The Countryside Agency welcomes the SRA's approach in its Strategy for Community Rail Development. By involving a wider section of the community in the development of local rail services, the SRA is making a positive move towards protecting the long-term sustainability of rural railways. We believe our programme of Gateway Stations, which looks at a number of stations in Market Towns across England, will complement and contribute to the SRA's Strategy for Community Rail Development."

Gordon Stokes, Senior Transport Policy Adviser, Countryside Agency

"Angel Trains welcomes the SRA's consultation on Community Rail Development. The paper addresses Community Railways' needs in a specific, commonsense and cost-effective manner. We look forward to discussions on innovative solutions to the rolling stock requirements."

Haydn Abbott, Managing Director, Angel Trains Group