Passengers on a rural rail service in Kent are set to benefit from a £60,000
fund for Community Rail Partnerships, Rail Minister Tom Harris announced
today.
The new Designated Community Rail Development Fund will help deliver
improvements to make a real difference at local stations, such as more seats
at stations, cycle parking and better information for passengers. It can
also help fund awareness campaigns to encourage more people to use these
lines.
Rail Minister Tom Harris said: "This extra funding will support the small
projects that can make a big difference to passengers using rural routes and
will help Community Rail Partnerships provide services that really benefit
their local community."
Community Rail Partnerships promote and develop the railway services for
local people and will apply to Association of Community Rail Partnerships
for the funding. A full list of the Community Rail Partnerships eligible for
funding can be found below. All partnerships working on these lines can
apply to the fund for a grant of up to £5,000 per route.
Jerry Swift, Network Rail's Account Director for Community Rail, said:
"Network Rail has seen real improvements around the network as a result of
the work of Community Rail Partnerships. We are delighted to be able to
support this initiative and we are looking forward to seeing some innovative
schemes that benefit rail users and local people. Delivering a railway that
meets local needs is key to seeing the network develop."
Neil Buxton, General Manager at ACoRP said: "Community Rail Partnerships can
deliver a lot from very little and I am pleased that we are working with the
Department and Network Rail to get this project off the ground. Local rail
is thriving in many parts of the country and with continued work we expect
it to grow further over the next few years."
In Kent, the Community Rail Partnership - the Medway Valley Line: Paddock
Wood to Strood - is eligible to apply for funding:
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