21 November 2011
Call for Stranraer railway to the revitalised
The switch of Northern Ireland ferries from Stranraer Harbour to Cairnryan Port on Monday 21 November has created a unique opportunity to re-gear Stranraer's train service to local needs and emerging tourist markets, after 134 years of the rail timetable being tied to the ferry timetable.
Transform Scotland [1], the sustainable transport alliance, is today (Monday 21 November) urging the Scottish Government, the rail industry, local authorities and the local community to create a formal Community Rail Partnership (CRP) [2] to develop a new strategy for promotion of the line. CRPs have been highly successful on rural lines in England and Wales, where a co-ordinated focus on line development has lead to substantial growth in rail traffic. [3] Transform argues that this kind of approach would significantly improve the economics of the Stranraer line, helping to reduce the costs to the taxpayer of the new ScotRail franchise from 2014.
Transform Scotland spokesperson Paul Tetlaw commented:
"The line needs a strategy for its new role now that the ferries have switched away. A Community Rail Partnership would be the ideal way to drive forward a new strategy, building a strong alliance to nurture and develop the railway."
Tetlaw argued that timetable improvement should be a priority if the line is to be revitalised:
"There is a unique opportunity to create a better service for local people and for new rail travellers from Greater Glasgow on integrated rail-bus 'Days Out', heading for the many attractions within 20 miles of Stranraer, such as Portpatrick village, Castle Kennedy Gardens, Logan Botanic Garden and the Mull of Galloway.
"ScotRail's new timetable commencing in December, is a good start, but what is really needed is a regular interval service, rather than the current highly irregular pattern with gaps of over four hours between trains."
In 2009, Transform Scotland published the 'Ayr-Stranraer rail regeneration study', a detailed report which set out recommendations for expanding use of the Ayr-Stranraer railway line. The report was launched at an event in Stranraer with local politicians and key rail industry figures. One of the key recommendations was the formation of a rail regeneration partnership involving key stakeholders. [4]
ENDS
Notes to Editors
[1] Transform Scotland is the national sustainable transport alliance, bringing together rail, bus and shipping operators, local authorities, national environment and conservation groups, businesses and local transport groups - see <http://www.transformscotland.org.uk/members.aspx> for details.
[2] Community Rail Partnerships (CRPs) are a bridge between the railway and local communities, bringing together a wide range of interests along the rail corridor. Some partnerships have been instrumental in achieving spectacular increases in use of rail through innovative marketing, improved services and better station facilities.
Their work includes improving bus links to stations, developing walking and cycling routes, bringing station buildings back to life, art and education projects and organising special events which promote the railway and its relevance to the community.
There are more than 30 Community Rail Partnerships in England & Wales, but none to date in Scotland. For more information see the website of the Association of Community Rail Partnerships: http://www.acorp.uk.com
[3] Community Rail Partnerships lead to additional rail use and passenger fares revenue. A 2008 study for ACORP on 'The Value of Community Rail
Partnerships' concluded that "active and effective Community Rail Partnerships should reasonably expect to increase footfall and fares by an additional 7% over 3 years" compared to the likely performance if there had been no CRP. For more information see: http://www.acorp.uk.com/Values%20of%20CPR's%20project.html
[4] See <http://www.transformscotland.org.uk/ayr-stranraer-rail-regeneration.aspx> for details for the 'Ayr-Stranraer Rail Regeneration Study'. The report was written by Deltix Transport Consulting, and funded by Passenger Focus, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) and the South West of Scotland Transport Partnership (SWestrans).
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