MORE than 3,000 community rail volunteers and local partnerships are poised to play a key role in working towards a greener transport future.

Members of a grassroots movement – including groups in Northwich, Knutsford, Altrincham and surrounding villages - have continued to strive for northern England’s communities and work towards a greener transport future, despite the pandemic.

Figures from Community Rail Network’s Community Rail in the North briefing – sponsored by Rail Delivery Group - highlight that more than 3,000 volunteers give 140,000 hours annually to improve social inclusion and wellbeing, promote sustainable and healthy travel, and support economic development in their local area.

Working with the north’s 20 community rail partnerships and 350 station groups, these people engage residents with their railways and stations, working with train operators, local authorities, and other partners.

Activities include volunteering, community gardening and biodiversity projects at stations, community arts and heritage projects, work with rail industry partners towards improvements and integration such as shelters, signage, pedestrian and cyclist access, and events, workshops and activities to promote sustainable travel, bring people together, and celebrate the community.

Community rail is now looking forward to playing a pivotal role in building back better from Covid and helping local railways to be a vital component of a greener, more inclusive way forward.

Locally, the Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership will be playing a key role in this ‘green initiative’.

The Mid Cheshire Line connects Chester to Manchester via Northwich, Knutsford, Altrincham, and Stockport.

Along the line, the station gardens are tended by volunteers and the partnership has worked closely with local tourism and hospitality partners to encourage leisure travel with its Marvellous Days Out project.

The line has much to offer off-peak leisure visitors with wonderful walks and cycle rides from all its stations, exciting places to visit and great shopping and eating experiences at our cities, towns, and villages.

John Hulme, a director of the Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership said: “During the pandemic, the partnership has been working behind the scenes to help with post-Covid recovery.

“We will be working hard to help all our business partners along the line to get back to normal by promoting sustainable and healthy travel.

“Our line has much to offer off-peak leisure travel and we hope that will bring much business to our vibrant cities, town and villages along the line.”

Sarah Morgan, community rail officer for the Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership added: “I am looking forward to the Partnership playing its part in this green initiative to support post-Covid recovery.

“During the pandemic, we were fortunate to have our own Gallery in the Gardens at Tatton Park depicting Cheshire’s ‘Wonderful Wildlife’ by acclaimed Cheshire artist, Nicky Thompson.

“With the help of Northwich Town Council, we will be moving this very successful exhibition to Northwich after lockdown.

“We are also actively talking to Knutsford Town Council about local projects to enhance and promote the station, and we have been engaging with parish councils and community groups along the line to encourage local partnership working.

“Local rail services and their stations are hugely important to our connected communities and the Partnership is there not only to bring a local voice, but also to make things happen.”