WHITBY'S railway could benefit from a share of £60,000 to help rural rail services, it has been announced.
The Esk Valley line, which runs from Middlesbrough to Whitby, is one of 23 Community Rail Partnerships eligible to apply for funding from the new Designated Community Rail Development Fund.
The fund will help deliver improvements to make a differe
nce at local stations, such as more seats at stations, cycle parking and better information for passengers. It can also help fund awareness campaigns to encourage more people to use these lines.
Rail Minister Tom Harris said: “This extra funding will support the small projects that can make a big difference to passengers using rural routes and will help Community Rail Partnerships provide services which really benefit their local community.”
All partnerships working on the selected lines can apply to the fund for a grant of up to £5,000 per route, which can then be put towards improvements
Jerry Swift, Network Rail's account director for Community Rail, said: “Network Rail has seen real improvements around the network as a result of the work of Community Rail Partnerships.
“We are delighted to be able to support this initiative and we are looking forward to seeing some innovative schemes that benefit rail users and local people.
“Delivering a railway that meets local needs is key to seeing the network develop.”
The Community Rail Development Strategy looks at innovative ways of operating local branch lines, through a programme of cost management, increasing passenger numbers and direct community involvement via local authorities, community rail partnerships and other stakeholder groups.
The full article contains 272 words and appears in Whitby Gazette Friday newspaper.
