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Review of CRP activity in the 12 months to 29 May 2020
Background
The Surrey Hills to the South Downs Community Rail Partnership (SH-SD CRP) is an exciting, dynamic initiative that has its origins in the Haslemere Community Station project that started in 2015. The Partnership was launched on June 13th, 2019 for the mutual benefit of all the people and organisations of Haslemere, Witley, Milford, Godalming and Farncombe, together with their immediate surrounding areas.
Working with South Western Railway (SWR), with the support of the Community Rail Network the SH-SD CRP aims to provide access to the local area via rail and more sustainable transport modes. It has a clear vision and direction to deliver the following key objectives:
• To promote the towns along the route of the SH-SD CRP and their surrounding districts, including the Surrey Hills, South Downs National Park and the National Trust, plus the organisations working within these boundaries.
• To promote local events and cultural activities across the SH-SD CRP area.
• To promote social enterprise activities within the SH-SD CRP area.
• To work with schools, youth organisations and vulnerable adults to provide information about the railway including how to keep safe, through activities including Try the Train Experiences.
• To work with the local community and SWR, to provide a high standard of infrastructure and aesthetics at all stations, and to bring them into the heart of the community.
• To encourage greater use of sustainable and environmentally friendly public transport.
• To work with partners to develop and enhance local train services, stations and improve access for all - for example to ensure all our stations are dementia and disabled friendly.
• To work with SWR to increase off-peak rail passenger numbers.
• To enable local railways to play a larger role in local and regional economic and social regeneration including projects to enhance tourist, educational, health, cultural and environmental regeneration and development activities.
All these priorities align with the four pillars of community rail in the Department for Transport 2018 Community Rail Development Strategy namely:
a) Providing a voice for the community
b) Promoting sustainable, healthy and accessible travel
c) Bringing communities together and supporting diversity and inclusion and
d) Supporting social and economic development.
All the SH-SD CRP’s activities as set out in the Partnership Activity Plan support or implement these four pillars and follow the SMART principles.
The Surrey Hills to the South Downs Community Rail Partnership (SH-SD CRP) is an exciting, dynamic initiative that has its origins in the Haslemere Community Station project that started in 2015. The Partnership was launched on June 13th, 2019 for the mutual benefit of all the people and organisations of Haslemere, Witley, Milford, Godalming and Farncombe, together with their immediate surrounding areas.
Working with South Western Railway (SWR), with the support of the Community Rail Network the SH-SD CRP aims to provide access to the local area via rail and more sustainable transport modes. It has a clear vision and direction to deliver the following key objectives:
• To promote the towns along the route of the SH-SD CRP and their surrounding districts, including the Surrey Hills, South Downs National Park and the National Trust, plus the organisations working within these boundaries.
• To promote local events and cultural activities across the SH-SD CRP area.
• To promote social enterprise activities within the SH-SD CRP area.
• To work with schools, youth organisations and vulnerable adults to provide information about the railway including how to keep safe, through activities including Try the Train Experiences.
• To work with the local community and SWR, to provide a high standard of infrastructure and aesthetics at all stations, and to bring them into the heart of the community.
• To encourage greater use of sustainable and environmentally friendly public transport.
• To work with partners to develop and enhance local train services, stations and improve access for all - for example to ensure all our stations are dementia and disabled friendly.
• To work with SWR to increase off-peak rail passenger numbers.
• To enable local railways to play a larger role in local and regional economic and social regeneration including projects to enhance tourist, educational, health, cultural and environmental regeneration and development activities.
All these priorities align with the four pillars of community rail in the Department for Transport 2018 Community Rail Development Strategy namely:
a) Providing a voice for the community
b) Promoting sustainable, healthy and accessible travel
c) Bringing communities together and supporting diversity and inclusion and
d) Supporting social and economic development.
All the SH-SD CRP’s activities as set out in the Partnership Activity Plan support or implement these four pillars and follow the SMART principles.
Governance
Our steering group includes the following partners: South Downs National Park, Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, National Trust, Surrey County Council, Waverley Borough Council, Milford and Witley Parish Council, Godalming Town Council, Haslemere Town Council, Watts Gallery and the Community Rail Network.
Steering group meetings are held quarterly, with the venue and hosting rotating between members of the steering group. At the launch meeting, elections were held for the following posts:
• Chair Surrey County Councillor Nikki Barton
• Treasurer Chair, Haslemere Educational Museum Melanie Odell
All posts will be reviewed at the annual AGM wich is open to all stakeholders; a decision to be taken whether to hold the meeting online, for example, via Zoom, during the Covid-19 lockdown. The CRP is in the process of setting up a not for profit, limited company
Our steering group includes the following partners: South Downs National Park, Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, National Trust, Surrey County Council, Waverley Borough Council, Milford and Witley Parish Council, Godalming Town Council, Haslemere Town Council, Watts Gallery and the Community Rail Network.
Steering group meetings are held quarterly, with the venue and hosting rotating between members of the steering group. At the launch meeting, elections were held for the following posts:
• Chair Surrey County Councillor Nikki Barton
• Treasurer Chair, Haslemere Educational Museum Melanie Odell
All posts will be reviewed at the annual AGM wich is open to all stakeholders; a decision to be taken whether to hold the meeting online, for example, via Zoom, during the Covid-19 lockdown. The CRP is in the process of setting up a not for profit, limited company
Good news and reflections
The creation of the SH-SD CRP is in itself a significant good news story. In a relatively short time, a very strong partnership has come together committed to promoting rail travel and the stations, communities, beautiful countryside and cultural attractions accessible along the line.
The creation of the SH-SD CRP is in itself a significant good news story. In a relatively short time, a very strong partnership has come together committed to promoting rail travel and the stations, communities, beautiful countryside and cultural attractions accessible along the line.
One of the key strengths of the Partnership has been its range and depth. It includes representatives of a National Park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the National Trust, County, District and Parish and Town Councils, as well as major visitor attractions, for example, Watts Gallery (Surrey Visitor Attraction of the Year 2019). In addition, the Partnership has the support of local business chambers and a town visitor centre, together with the local stations’ Adoption Groups. There is a clear recognition by all involved that Community Rail is an extremely positive vehicle by which communities can work collaboratively and flexibly, incorporating local priorities to support the key common partnership goals of promoting rail travel and its integration with more sustainable travel modes, for the benefit of both the local community and the visitor economy.
The SH-SD CRP plays a significant strategic role in that it fills the gap that previously existed between the North Downs CRP that starts to the north of Farncombe at Guildford Station and the East Hampshire CRP that starts at Liphook Station to the south of Haslemere.
Collectively the five stations within the Partnership have a very high patronage, with aggregate c.4.5 million annual passenger journeys (Network Rail data). The stations within the line serve some of the most popular commuter market towns on the Waterloo to Portsmouth line, but uniquely they all also provide a gateway to some of the most beautiful countryside in the south-east of England, comprising the South Downs National Park, the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a range of National Trust protected landscapes.
The National Trust was indeed founded in Haslemere, being the birth place of its founder, Robert Hunter. Haslemere is surrounded by a ring of some of the first landscapes that were bought by the National Trust to ensure their protection in perpetuity for the nation. The arrival of the railway to the town over 160 years ago enabled visitors to travel from London and marked the start of a local tourism attracting artists and poets. Hindhead and the Devil’s Punch Bowl, just a short distance from Haslemere Station, were a popular destination as a health-giving ‘spa’ with clean air and fine views. Conan Doyle wrote his Sherlock Holmes books at Undershaw in Hindhead, less than 2 miles from the station.
The Partnership aims, once again, to promote the visitor economy on this section of the Portsmouth line - to support local businesses and visitor attractions and to promote sustainable transport access to the countryside, particularly to those without access to the private car. The line stations are all accessible in less than an hour from Waterloo station, one of the busiest in London with a very large demographic catchment. The direct involvement of the local visitor information bureau, the business chambers and Waverley Borough Council’s Economic Development portfolio holder (who are all committed to promoting the visitor economy through the SH-SD CRP) lends further depth and strength to the Partnership.
Collectively the five stations within the Partnership have a very high patronage, with aggregate c.4.5 million annual passenger journeys (Network Rail data). The stations within the line serve some of the most popular commuter market towns on the Waterloo to Portsmouth line, but uniquely they all also provide a gateway to some of the most beautiful countryside in the south-east of England, comprising the South Downs National Park, the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a range of National Trust protected landscapes.
The National Trust was indeed founded in Haslemere, being the birth place of its founder, Robert Hunter. Haslemere is surrounded by a ring of some of the first landscapes that were bought by the National Trust to ensure their protection in perpetuity for the nation. The arrival of the railway to the town over 160 years ago enabled visitors to travel from London and marked the start of a local tourism attracting artists and poets. Hindhead and the Devil’s Punch Bowl, just a short distance from Haslemere Station, were a popular destination as a health-giving ‘spa’ with clean air and fine views. Conan Doyle wrote his Sherlock Holmes books at Undershaw in Hindhead, less than 2 miles from the station.
The Partnership aims, once again, to promote the visitor economy on this section of the Portsmouth line - to support local businesses and visitor attractions and to promote sustainable transport access to the countryside, particularly to those without access to the private car. The line stations are all accessible in less than an hour from Waterloo station, one of the busiest in London with a very large demographic catchment. The direct involvement of the local visitor information bureau, the business chambers and Waverley Borough Council’s Economic Development portfolio holder (who are all committed to promoting the visitor economy through the SH-SD CRP) lends further depth and strength to the Partnership.
An early successful initiative of the SH-SD CRP has been the development of a series of Rail to Ramble walking guides. Two original guides, starting at Haslemere Station were researched by volunteers and printed with the support of the Surrey Hills and South Downs. The line officer is currently working to create an online data base of all Rail to Ramble trails from all 5 stations, building on existing resources and with additional routes added with the invaluable help of volunteers. A new trail from Farncombe station is currently being researched in partnership with our new partner, the Watts Gallery in Compton. The Watts Gallery, voted Most Popular Visitor Attraction in Surrey 2019, is a nationally recognised cultural centre. It was the home of William and Mary Watts, original founders of the Arts and Crafts movement.
The CRP recently participated in the Scenic Britain by Rail event at Alexandra Palace, London. The Partnership is promoted on the permanent Scenic Britain by Rail website here: https://www.scenicrailbritain.com/lines/surrey-hills-south-downs
A key success for the Partnership has been securing funding for a line officer for the project and we are very grateful for SWR support. To date, a huge amount has been achieved by a team of volunteers as set out in the activity plan, but it was becoming clear that, in order to realise the vision and objectives set out in the plan, the focus of a dedicated officer was vital. We were delighted to appoint Lucy Lomax in April, 2020 on a one year contract. Lucy has been working with the East Hants CRP and her knowledge, experience and energy is already having a very positive impact.
A percentage of the line officer budget has been dedicated to continuing to employ a social media expert to promote the project. The @HillsToDowns Twitter account has attracted a growing social media presence following over the past months since the launch of the project- @HillsToDowns Twitter account has 244 followers, with 12-125 impressions; Instagram has 185 followings with growing Facebook following. All channels have high levels of interaction.
A key priority for the CRP is the measurement of our impact - both qualitative and quantitative. We receive regular updates from SWR of passenger data, that indicates any shift in traveller numbers. Social media reach is also analysed with regular updates to all partners and at the Haslemere Community Hub, for example, a daily record of visitors and a visitor comment book are both kept under review. As a partnership we have recently registered to participate in the CRN Community Impact Assessment Tool, and all partners will be encouraged to input their local activities via the app in order to assess the impact of the CRP.
A key success for the Partnership has been securing funding for a line officer for the project and we are very grateful for SWR support. To date, a huge amount has been achieved by a team of volunteers as set out in the activity plan, but it was becoming clear that, in order to realise the vision and objectives set out in the plan, the focus of a dedicated officer was vital. We were delighted to appoint Lucy Lomax in April, 2020 on a one year contract. Lucy has been working with the East Hants CRP and her knowledge, experience and energy is already having a very positive impact.
A percentage of the line officer budget has been dedicated to continuing to employ a social media expert to promote the project. The @HillsToDowns Twitter account has attracted a growing social media presence following over the past months since the launch of the project- @HillsToDowns Twitter account has 244 followers, with 12-125 impressions; Instagram has 185 followings with growing Facebook following. All channels have high levels of interaction.
A key priority for the CRP is the measurement of our impact - both qualitative and quantitative. We receive regular updates from SWR of passenger data, that indicates any shift in traveller numbers. Social media reach is also analysed with regular updates to all partners and at the Haslemere Community Hub, for example, a daily record of visitors and a visitor comment book are both kept under review. As a partnership we have recently registered to participate in the CRN Community Impact Assessment Tool, and all partners will be encouraged to input their local activities via the app in order to assess the impact of the CRP.
The complete renovation of the Haslemere Community Hub at Haslemere Station has been a significant success for the SH-SD CRP. This is found at @Haslemere_iHub on Twitter. A derelict shop space on the station forecourt was originally renovated by volunteers as part of the Haslemere Community Station initiative to enable its use. However, further improvements were needed if the Hub was to remain in use. In October 2019, an official opening was held of the enlarged and greatly upgraded Hub. The Community Hub, now open throughout the year on a part time basis is manned by a team of over 25 volunteers to provide visitor and community information and showcasing SH-SD CRP attractions and events.
Clearly the objective of the CRP is to build community capacity via positive and inclusive engagement along the line. But one significant success of the SH-SD CRP that is more difficult to quantify in any activity plan is the building of positive relationships between project partners, and between the Partnership and the South Western Railway leadership team and the operational team on the ground, in particular the staff at each station. The creation of the Partnership for example brought together the local Surrey Hills AONB, National Trust and South Downs National Park representatives for the first time. Project partners have been collaborating with the SWR marketing team to promote events on the line and have actively participated in SWR conference forums to explain the benefits of community rail. Locally, operational station staff have commented how much they appreciate the CRP presence - for example at Haslemere, SWR staff have been able to direct arriving passengers to the Hub to answer enquiries.
The National Trust Christmas Tree initiative at all five of the Partnership’s stations was very successful and well received by the SWR station teams. The National Trust team from the Devil’s Punch Bowl delivered (and later removed) a large Christmas tree to the waiting rooms and ticket offices at each station to be decorated by SWR staff. The donated trees brought cheer to all involved and also promoted the National Trust’s ‘cut-your-own-tree’ scheme that supports the ecological management of the Punch Bowl woodland. They also provided good press and social media opportunities.
In 2019 the Partnership held its first ‘Try the Train’ event for Year 6 Primary School children. It is a great way for the SH-SD CRP to engage with the community, working in collaboration with SWR Ambassadors and local St. Bartholomew’s School in Haslemere. 60 pupils took part and we plan to do this across the line each year to help prepare children for going to secondary school by train and generally how to use the travel by train safely and responsibly.
The activity plan has many other projects that unfortunately are on hold due to the Covid-19 emergency lockdown, which we are not able to include in this update on project successes. Examples of initiatives we would have expected to deliver for this accreditation include: Try the Train at schools along the line, improving the station environment along the line including the installation of art work, planters, benches and upgrades to waiting rooms and the promotion of the Partnership at major events that were planned to take place throughout the spring and summer of 2020.
Learning Points
Key to the SH-SD CRP success to date has been bringing together a wide-ranging partnership at the strategic and operational levels, along with partners that represent national and local organisations and governance. It is this breadth and recognition of these partners that contributes to our success. In addition, this range of partners ensures that the Partnership benefits from a particularly wide range of perspectives.
One of the key challenges is ensuring that alignment is achieved across the Partnership which comprises five diverse stations, from Milford and Witley (smaller rural stations) to Haslemere and Godalming (which are busier stations serving larger urban communities) and Farncombe, which although serving a satellite community of Godalming, is physically a larger station due to it being the original terminus of the London and South Western Railway. However as detailed above, all stations are unified as gateways to the Surrey Hills, South Downs and National Trust countryside.
Another challenge is ensuring that there is a balance of projects, and particularly those that rely on volunteeers across all the Partnership’s line stations, given that Haslemere Station was the focus at the start of the SH-SD CRP, having been previously established as a community partnership in its own right. That said, the experience and success of the Haslemere Community Station initiative has been extremely valuable in guiding the work of the wider SH-SD CRP. It is worth emphasising that there is great freedom for each station to develop its own initiatives within the umbrella of the Partnership.
Tempering ambition is another key challenge for project partners. We have many creative ideas - for example a desire to enhance the sustainability of our stations with water refill stations and wi-fi and the hope to improve the integration between rail and bus services, as well as to improve ‘access for all’ to our stations and into the countryside. Yet we are learning from experience that patience and persistence are needed.
Cllr Nikki Barton
Chair
Surrey Hills to South Downs Community Rail Partnership
May 2020
Learning Points
Key to the SH-SD CRP success to date has been bringing together a wide-ranging partnership at the strategic and operational levels, along with partners that represent national and local organisations and governance. It is this breadth and recognition of these partners that contributes to our success. In addition, this range of partners ensures that the Partnership benefits from a particularly wide range of perspectives.
One of the key challenges is ensuring that alignment is achieved across the Partnership which comprises five diverse stations, from Milford and Witley (smaller rural stations) to Haslemere and Godalming (which are busier stations serving larger urban communities) and Farncombe, which although serving a satellite community of Godalming, is physically a larger station due to it being the original terminus of the London and South Western Railway. However as detailed above, all stations are unified as gateways to the Surrey Hills, South Downs and National Trust countryside.
Another challenge is ensuring that there is a balance of projects, and particularly those that rely on volunteeers across all the Partnership’s line stations, given that Haslemere Station was the focus at the start of the SH-SD CRP, having been previously established as a community partnership in its own right. That said, the experience and success of the Haslemere Community Station initiative has been extremely valuable in guiding the work of the wider SH-SD CRP. It is worth emphasising that there is great freedom for each station to develop its own initiatives within the umbrella of the Partnership.
Tempering ambition is another key challenge for project partners. We have many creative ideas - for example a desire to enhance the sustainability of our stations with water refill stations and wi-fi and the hope to improve the integration between rail and bus services, as well as to improve ‘access for all’ to our stations and into the countryside. Yet we are learning from experience that patience and persistence are needed.
Cllr Nikki Barton
Chair
Surrey Hills to South Downs Community Rail Partnership
May 2020