1. 1 Network Rail Community Scheme

2. 2 Community Scheme – What’s that? So it’s Network Rail’s answer to station adoption? Yes, but it’s not ‘station’ and it’s not ‘adoption’

3. 3 Station Adoption or Community Scheme? Red area is managed by the Train Operator, so Station Adoption Green is Network Rail directly-managed land, so Community Scheme

4. 44 Why have it? Most railway land is outside station lease ‘Informal’ schemes are vulnerable (e.g. West Dulwich) Equitable – it doesn’t depend on ‘who you know’ No legal/admin costs (unlike a lease)

5. 5 Community Scheme More hazardous environment than public areas of a station No resource for Network Rail to manage volunteers, so... Volunteers form a group and manage themselves, through... A ‘Licence’ agreement with Network Rail (separate one for Scottish law) Specified activities: e.g. “maintaining a garden”, “clearing litter”, “removing graffiti” Specified scheme area and safe access route(s) Power tools, spraying, under-16s etc need specific agreement Safety briefing before volunteers start work

6. 66 How does it work? Group carries out its own risk assessment and signs licence agreement on behalf of its members ‘One-Off’ scheme: –Usually one or two days –People turn up on the day –Network Rail provides safety briefing and supervises ‘Long-Term’ scheme –NR installs permanent fence and/or gate, if needed –Group members safety briefed then work unsupervised –Agreement is renewed every year

7. 7 An Example: Frome Authorised access route Fencing: Platform end ramp Fencing: Line side and platform end ramp

8. 88 This year’s Must-Have Accessories

9. 9 Has it worked? 52 long-term schemes and 17 one-offs so far. – 4 disused branch lines –10 disused platforms –5 wildflower meadows –a crossing-keepers’ hut –a botanic garden –a gnome sanctuary Around 600 volunteers

10. 10 Publicising the Schemes Search ‘Community Schemes’ on www.networkrail.co.uk www.networkrail.co.uk A chance for groups to tell us about their schemes Here are just some of them....

11. 11 A canal (Causeland)

12. 12 An embankment (Homerton)

13. 13 Half a station (March)

14. 14 A disused platform (Chandlers Ford)

15. 15 Small buildings

16. 16 A community scheme on a station??

17. 17 Where next? 10-15 schemes in the pipeline Similar number of ‘proposals’ at any time Including this wagon! And......

18. 18 Wildlife Railway land is a natural wildlife corridor Wild flowers suit poor soil Groups can look after a larger area than with conventional gardening

19. 19 Wildlife Areas

20. Thank you!