Better Transport

There’s no excuse for the fact that many rail stations are in a poor state and in some cases virtually abandoned [1], according to Campaign for Better Transport.[2]

Research published today [3] by the leading environmental group shows that with a bit of innovative partnership work, stations can be upgraded and new money brought in.

"Right now, local councils and other players like developers and rail companies think it’s too difficult to secure much-needed funding to improve stations. Our research shows that’s not so. It shows how partnerships between the rail industry and other interests can revitalise run-down stations, create better transport links and – very importantly – lever in new money from public bodies, developers and other interested parties," says Stephen Joseph, executive director.

"We’d like Network Rail and the Government to make a partnership approach simpler, perhaps through the introduction of a template partnership agreement, so that the case studies in our research are not considered exceptions."

Notes to editors

[1] Our Weakest Link survey in August 2007 revealed many stations in need of improvement:

[2] Campaign for Better Transport is the new name of Transport 2000, which has been securing better transport policy and programmes since 1973.

[3] The research, a report with five case studies and guidance on how to replicate some of the good practice, is available online, as a PDF or HTML pages.

The research has been supported by Ned Railways.

The research is being launched on the day of a fringe event the group held at the Labour Party conference. "The Great Challenge: Cities, Climate Change, Transport" was chaired by journalist Ben Webster. Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly and others spoke.