SCRP and Great Western Railway celebrate North Downs CRP

Community Rail is being extended as far as Reading on the North Downs Line.

The extended community rail partnership was launched at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford on 5 July. The celebration was attended by Mark Hopwood, CEO of Great Western Railway, Network Rail, Southwestern Rail, the Association of Community Rail Partnerships, and many community representatives.

During 2017, SCRP worked with communities from Reigate to Guildford on projects ranging from new signage to the North Downs Way, a clear-up around Chilworth station, and a study with Network Rail on safety around level crossings, which is a step on the way towards the anticipated 3rd train per hour on the line.

SCRP was delighted to be asked by Great Western Railway to extend the community rail partnership from Guildford to Reading in 2018. Line officer David Daniels is already on course to sign up new station partners along the route.

North Downs Line officer David Daniels and Southwestern’s Community Rail manager Richard Kempton

Paul Webster of ACoRP outlines the benefits of community rail

The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

Roger Blake of Railfuture and Patricia Allen of Chilworth Parish Council

Daniel Wright, ACORP’s Southern rep, and David Wilby of SouthWestern.