Urban Transport Group investigates the benefit of locally-run rail stations

A new report for the Urban Transport Group, coordinated by transport expert Stephen Joseph, will investigate the benefits that flow from devolved authorities’ involvement in railway stations.

The report will form part of Urban Transport Group’s growing evidence base on the benefits of rail devolution, including its recent reports ‘Rail devolution works’ and ‘Rail cities UK’. It will also be used as part of the organisation’s input into the government’s Rail Review which will evaluate the potential for further devolution of responsibilities over the rail network. 

Stephen, who recently stepped down as Chief Executive of Campaign for Better Transport, will look at the benefits so far of devolved authorities’ involvement in rail stations – from large regeneration projects such as the recently opened new station at Dundee, through to the transformation of existing stations into wider hubs for transport and community use. 

Ben Still, Managing Director at West Yorkshire Combined Authority and lead Board member for rail at the Urban Transport Group, said: “We have consistently made the case for greater devolution of rail networks to local authorities because of the benefits it brings.

“Stephen’s work will focus specifically on the benefits for stations from greater devolved authority involvement. From investing in new stations and transforming existing ones, to serving new housing developments and improving safety and security for all rail users, this project will demonstrate – through real examples – how devolved authorities are making a difference to how railway stations can provide a better service for both passengers and the places those stations serve.”

The project will take a case-study based approach to show how devolved authorities have made improvements, ranging from staffing, security and accessibility, to stations’ integration with other modes of transport and their environmental sustainability.

The report, and its findings, will be published early 2019.

Stephen Joseph said: “Rail stations are more than just access points for trains; they are hubs and gateways for communities, and are often key features in their cities, towns and villages. Devolution of rail services to local authorities and devolved administrations has allowed them to make huge improvements to the stations in those services. I hope that through this report, I’ll be able to showcase these achievements and the potential for more stations to become centres for development and attractive places for people and passengers.”