|
Community rail should be part of Big Society, says ACoRP
|
|
|
|
"30/07/2010
|
Senior figures from the Association of Rail Community Partnerships have endorsed the government’s new idea of a Big Society, saying that community rail programmes could form a part in it.
ACoRP General Manager, Neil Buxton said. “Community Rail empowers communities, encourages volunteers and gives rail users, local authorities and businesses the tools they need to input directly to plans for their local railway.”
The Prime Minister said that his new approach was about ‘empowering communities, redistributing power and fostering a culture of volunteerism.’
Around the country, Community Rail Partnerships and Station Friends Groups have been successful in attracting more passengers to their local lines as well as improving local stations and supporting the local economy.
“The Prime Minister has called for ‘forward-thinking, entrepreneurial, community-minded people ...to come forward to play their part,’ Mr Buxton added, “and we are already fielding 4,000 Community Rail volunteers around the country. With continued support from the railway industry and local authorities, we can do even more in the future.”
(Image courtesy of Geof Sheppard)
|
|
|