Last chance for communities to join rail conference

Rail users in the West Midlands are being urged to join a discussion on how communities can get involved in the railways at a special online event next week.

West Midlands Railway (WMR) is holding its annual Community Rail Conference on Thursday 11 November from 10am to 12.30pm.

The virtual event, being held jointly with London Northwestern Railway (LNR), comes at a time when passengers are returning to the railway following the pandemic.

Fay Easton, WMR head of stakeholder and community, said: “Local communities are at the heart of our railways and this event will be a celebration of their work at our stations and in local neighbourhoods and a chance to look to the future.

“During the pandemic we have seen more volunteers coming forward than ever before and we are excited to bring people together to share ideas for rail recovery, community stations and local neighbourhoods. ”

Among the subjects for discussion will be a look back at the past year of intense community activity, a business update from WMR and LNR, how customers can be placed at the heart of the railway business, the future of community rail and how stations can become community hubs to drive social and economic growth.

Across the WMR network volunteers have donated more than 5,000 hours so far this year to help support their local stations, creating innovative landscaping, arts installations, literary displays and events for people to come together.

To register for your free place at the event, click here.

Pictured: Community members at Small Heath Station