Working Together to Deliver Positive Change Through Rail
At North Cheshire Community Rail Partnership, our projects are shaped by local knowledge, strong partnerships, and a shared belief in the power of rail to improve lives. Through consultation and collaboration, we’ve developed four strategic themes that guide everything we do: Stations in Their Place, Affordable Access and Promotion, Health, Wellbeing and Inclusion, and Research, Wellbeing and Heritage. These themes help us plan with purpose and measure our social impact in ways that matter.
Whether it’s a heritage-inspired installation, a health-focused campaign or a creative intervention at a local station, our work is rooted in the needs of the communities we serve. By connecting places, people and opportunities, we aim to make the railway a central part of everyday life. Below you’ll find a selection of our recent successes, current projects underway, and exciting ideas we’re preparing for the future.
Our recent projects demonstrate how strategic themes translate into practical, meaningful improvements for communities across North Cheshire. From celebrating local heritage to encouraging sustainable travel and promoting wellbeing, each project reflects our commitment to making rail more accessible, inclusive and inspiring for all.
In partnership with many other organisations we were delighted to be able to support the Thomas Brassey Society in the erection of the statue which now graces the entrance to Chester Station. Thomas Brassey was born just outside of Chester in 1805 to a yeoman family and went on to become the one of the greatest railway builders in the world during the 19th century. His legacy is an inspiration to engineers of all generations and helps us to connect the past with the digital age of railway design and engineering that is open to today’s and tomorrow’s budding engineers.
Active Travel Information
Working with Frodsham Town Council, Cycle North Cheshire and Transport for Wales, we have helped to facilitate the installation of Active Travel Information at Frodsham railway station and on the town centre bus stops. Designed to encourage exploration on foot or by bike of the many places of interest accessible from the town centre, we anticipate that this will be a first of a series of such initiatives across the Partnership’s area.
In its 21st year we partnered with the Frodsham Festival of Walks to help promote both the accessibility of the railway stations in Runcorn, Frodsham and Helsby to a wide range of different walks, and to promote Railway 200 celebrating the two hundredth anniversary of the modern railway. The Festival was a resounding success with 29 walks being planned and successfully completed involving over 450 participants led and supported by volunteer leaders.
A project undertaken in conjunction with the University of Chester has helped to understand travel choices and patterns for those accessing the famous Sandstone Trail which provides opportunities to explore beautiful parts of Cheshire from Frodsham station.
When the “Halton Curve” railway line was upgraded and re-opened to allow passenger train services to connect Liverpool with Chester via Frodsham and Helsby we facilitated a project to relocate the redundant railway signals into Castle Park, Frodsham where they have become a permanent feature. In the future we plan to work with local partners to implement interpretation boards to help explain these railway signals in the context of the historical importance of our railways.
Our current projects reflect the work we’re actively delivering right now across the North Cheshire rail network. Each one supports our wider vision and helps build momentum for the exciting plans ahead. With strong collaboration and community input, these initiatives are part of a growing programme designed to bring long-term benefit to the areas we serve.
In partnership with Elton Parish Council we are funding the installation of outdoor gym equipment in Elton. Although the current level of train services through Ince & Elton station is limited, these communities are a vital part of the fabric of North Cheshire and we will work to help promote the proposed development of the line as part of wider regional transport strategies.
We are currently developing an exciting programme of possible new projects. Here are some of the things we plan to take forwards. If you or your organisation would like to get on board and collaborate with any of these please contact us.
Partnering with local health and wellbeing organisations to help people reconnect through rail travel.
Gather stories from the generation that witnessed the steam era, the Beeching cuts, and Britain’s cultural shift.
Repurposing underused buildings and land for community, cultural or wellbeing activities.
A creative project exploring how communities view their railways, leading to visual representation across stations.
Installations, performances, and live art events at stations, on infrastructure, and even on the trains themselves.
Repurposing underused buildings and land for community, cultural or wellbeing activities.
By train, visit behind-the-scenes locations in the rail industry, giving young people insight into future opportunities.
Encouraging walking and cycling from stations, creating visitor trails, and promoting rail access to attractions.
We’re always looking to connect with individuals, organisations and partners who share our passion for community rail. Whether you have an idea, want to get involved in a current project or are interested in supporting future plans, we’d love to hear from you. Let’s work together to create welcoming, inclusive and sustainable railways that benefit everyone.
We’re a not-for-profit partnership working with local organisations to make rail travel more accessible, sustainable, and community-focused across North Cheshire.
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