Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership

The Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership, formally established in November 2006, provides a means by which residents in the Marston Vale can get involved in their local railway. The Marston Vale train service provides an hourly train between Bedford and Bletchley, calling at places such as Stewartby, Lidlington, Ridgmont, and Woburn Sands, and the Community Rail Partnership is keen to see that the communities served by this service take full advantage of the benefits that it has to offer.

A Community Rail Partnership differs significantly from the traditional management of railways. Community Rail Partnerships are partnerships of interested organisations who work together to improve local rail services by taking a community-based approach, getting communities to be involved in their local railway. This work is led by a Community Rail Officer, who is hosted by one of partner organisations.

The Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership consists of Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity (who host the officer), Bedfordshire County Council, Bedford Borough Council, Mid Bedfordshire District Council, Milton Keynes Council, London Midland Trains, Network Rail, Bedfordshire Association of Town and Parish Councils and Bedford to Bletchley Rail Users Association. The aims of the partnership are:

• To improve facilities for existing users
• Generate new business for the line
• Increase the number of people using the line for work and leisure
• Ensuring the line has a long and financially-sustainable future

To find out more about the Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership, please feel free to view their web page by clicking on the link below, or e-mail us on ltp@bedscc.gov.uk|.