Volunteers who adopt their local railway stations across the North have attended the first conference held for them.
Over 50 people who help care for and champion their local stations were invited to attend the event at Cumbria House in Carlisle.
The joint Community Rail regional Station Adopters conference was hosted by the three Community Rail Partnerships whose routes meet in Carlisle: Tyne Valley Community Rail Partnership, Community Rail Cumbria and Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company.
The volunteers work to improve stations’ appearance, safety and community connection. Working closely with train operators and the wider rail industry, they maintain gardens, pick litter, report faults and create art installations.
They also act as local ambassadors, helping to make stations welcoming, sustainable hubs at the heart of their communities.
With the theme The Future of Station Adoption in a Changing World, the conference provided an opportunity for volunteers to hear updates from Northern, Network Rail and Community Rail Network.
The day aimed to provide updates from across the rail industry, but also to allow the volunteers to share ideas, showcase successful projects and develop new partnerships to enhance their stations.
Delegates also heard from Cumbria in Bloom, British Transport Police and Cumbria in Bloom.
Northern stakeholder manager for Lancashire and Cumbria, Owain Roberts, outlined Northern’s commitment to community engagement and support for station adoption across the region.
Representing Community Rail Network, training and development co-ordinator Alex Peel and Ian Davis spoke about funding opportunities for community-led projects and pathways into careers within the rail industry.
The event was opened by the chair of the Cumbrian Coast Line Community Rail Partnership, Eddie Pollock. He said: “The conference marks a significant milestone in recognising the contribution of station adopters in the North and strengthening collaboration between volunteers, the Community Rail Partnerships and the rail industry.”
