Bolsover District Council – Community rail project
The Project
The 32-mile Robin Hood Line is a community rail partnership (CRP) serving the district as a commuter and leisure passenger line since its inception in September 2021. It runs from Worksop to Nottingham via Mansfield with 13 stations serving local communities. The line is rich in heritage with an abundance of nature, historical and leisure attractions within easy reach of stations. The CRP is working towards becoming an accredited line supported by the Department for Transport (DfT) working with East Midlands Railways (the main train operating company) and other partners. The Community Rail Development Strategy has four pillars that provide the framework for the partnership:
Pillar 1: Provide a voice for the community
Pillar 2: Promote sustainable, healthy, and accessible travel
Pillar 3: Bring communities together to support diversity and inclusion
Pillar 4: Promote social and economic development
Funding has been secured from the following partners into the CRP. The total funding for the project is over £150k with almost half already spent on projects including:
- Creswell Rail Discovery Trail
- Rail Safety Distraction Project with the council’s sports officers and train operator
- Programme
- Website and rebranding
- Whitwell Station Land Development first phase
- Heritage Interpretation
The Benefit
The local communities that reside along the Robin Hood Line have benefited from the projects that have been delivered. These projects have helped decrease anti-social behaviour, increase social mobility and aid with social isolation. They have been particularly innovative as they have worked with local communities with high levels of deprivation. The projects have gained the trust of the communities particularly young people who have continued to engage. This has led to bringing in other services during community engagement sessions to help provide support around skills and employment and youth mental health.
