The rail operator’s fund aims to make a positive difference on a local scale


The Woolston Community Garden Project was built along a rail track theme

South Western Railway is looking to spend £3.5 million on funding projects based on its local railway network that will make a positive difference to people’s lives.

No matter how big or small, successful bids can include a wide range of schemes and activities from outreach projects helping to open rail travel to diverse communities, educational campaigns, cycle schemes, and even full-scale building and refurbishment projects.

Mark Youngman, South Western Railway's Customer and Communities Improvement Fund Manger, said: "We're pleased by the quality of applications to the CCIF programme, and are excited by the innovative ideas we've received. They capture the essence of what the programme is about: making a positive difference to communities on our network.

"There's still time left before we close the application process, so the message for anyone who hasn’t submitted their bid: drop us a line about your idea, don’t wait until it is too late."

The deadline to apply for funding is Friday September 6th. The fund runs every two years until 2024 and SWR is keen to hear from local authorities, rail user groups, charities, and other similar organisations about their ideas. Projects must not be for commercial gain or to build new stations.

SWR, along with independent observers such as passenger watchdog Transport Focus, will choose which schemes receive final approval for funding. More information can be found on the dedicated web-page here www.southwesternrailway.com/CCIF. Organisations can contact Mark Youngman to discuss their applications by emailing mark.youngman@swrailway.com.

August 27, 2019