News
IMPROVEMENTS FOR PEAK DISTRICT AND DERBYSHIRE STATIONS
4th August 2008
Rail passengers in the Peak District and Derbyshire are benefiting from £285,000 worth of improvements to stations thanks to a partnership between Northern Rail, East Midlands Tourism, Derbyshire County Council, Peak District National Park Authority and High Peak and Hope Valley Community Rail Partnership.
These improvements are part of a three year £1.1 million project to improve public transport facilities for visitors to the Peak District.
As part of the project, thanks to a £200,000 grant from East Midlands Tourism and £85,000 from Derbyshire County Council, customer facilities have been improved at Northern Rail stations on the Hope Valley, Buxton and Glossop railway lines.
Improvements include:
- new waiting shelters at Edale, Bamford, Hathersage, Hope and Grindleford stations
- refurbished waiting room at Buxton station
- CCTV at Buxton, Whaley Bridge and Glossop stations
- passenger information help points at Edale, Bamford, Chinley, Glossop, Dinting, Whaley Bridge and Chapel en le Frith stations
- information poster cases at stations on the Buxton and Hope Valley routes and at Hadfield, Dinting and Glossop stations
- a unique poster campaign encouraging visitors to explore the Peak District by rail and bus
CCTV and help points will provide additional security and information at some of the busier stations on the routes. Dark stone shelters have been replaced with well-lit, step free access modern waiting shelters on the Hope Valley allowing passengers to enjoy the beautiful scenery while waiting for their trains. Some of the new poster cases will be used to display local community and tourist information ensuring residents and visitors are kept up-to-date with events.
Mark Barker, Client and Stakeholder Manager, Northern Rail said: “We’re delighted that our partnership with East Midlands Tourism, Peak District National Park, Derbyshire County Council and High Peak and Hope Valley Community Rail Partnership has delivered improved customer facilities at stations along the Hope Valley, Buxton and Glossop routes. These stations play a vital role in linking the communities we serve and as gateways for visitors to this stunning area.”
Chairman of the High Peak and Hope Valley Community Rail Partnership Councillor Roger Wilkinson said: “The recent investment on the Glossop, Buxton and Hope Valley lines has been a shining example of what can be done by working in partnership.
“We have been able to use the resources of the county council to attract £470,000 funding from East Midlands Tourism, of which some £290,000 has been spent on these three Northern Rail lines, improving passenger facilities, safety and information.”
Ruth Hyde, Tourism Director, East Midlands Tourism commented: “Delivering a quality experience for visitors at all stages of their visit to the region is of paramount importance. It is not just about ensuring that there is good accommodation and attractions in place. It’s also about making sure the environment they visit is clean and safe. First class transport facilities and public realm are key in providing a welcoming environment and this project has provided some of the facilities that are so vital in leaving visitors with a favourable impression.”
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Notes to editors
For further information contact the Northern Rail press office on 01904 568652 or 01904 568670.
Accompanying image shows left to right: Martin Smith, Project Manager, High Peak and Hope Valley Community Rail Partnership; Reuben Brown Transport Policy Officer, Peak District National Parks Authority and Mark Barker, Client & Stakeholder Manager, Northern Rail
1. East Midlands Tourism was established in April 2004 by East Midlands Development Agency and is responsible for improving the skills, quality standards and the value and competitiveness of the tourism industry. The tourism industry has an important role to play in supporting emda's aim to deliver the 2006 Regional Economic Strategy (RES) ‘A Flourishing Region’, which sets out regional priorities until 2020. The RES, coordinated by emda, highlights the themes of productivity, sustainability and equality and builds on the previous two strategies; ‘Prosperity Through People’ and ‘Destination 2010’. For more information on east midlands tourism visit www.eastmidlandstourism.com
2. East Midlands Tourism works with five Destination Management Partnerships – Experience Nottinghamshire, Explore Northamptonshire, Leicester Shire Promotions, Lincolnshire Tourism and Visit Peak District & Derbyshire. These organisations are responsible for managing their sub region as a tourist destination, working with local stakeholders, and are the first point of contact for businesses and visitors. For more information visit www.discovereastmidlands.com
Northern Rail is the biggest train operator in Britain, providing 2,500 local and regional train services every day across the north of England, serving a population of nearly 15m. We are now carrying 78.5 million passengers a year, 23% more than when we started our franchise in December 2004.
Northern Rail is owned by Serco-NedRailways, a joint venture established in 2002 that combines Serco’s world-class service credentials and NedRailways’ unrivalled rail industry expertise. Serco has run the highly successful Docklands Light Railway since 1997 while NedRailways’ parent, NS Dutch Railways, carries over 1.1 million passengers every day in the Netherlands.
In addition to Northern Rail, Serco-NedRailways has the 25-year concession for Merseyrail, which provides urban train services in Merseyside.
Recent Northern honours
Rail Business of the Year and Train Operator of the Year – HSBC Rail Business Awards 2007
Public Transport Operator of the Year - National Transport Awards 2007
Winners – Example of Excellence in Rural Action, Business in the Community Awards 2007
Overall Winners - Community Rail Awards 2007
