The railway and social inclusion

Social inclusion is a topic of increasing importance to the rail industry, and particularly to the community rail movement.

ACoRP Chief Executive Jools Townsend says the Community Rail & Social Inclusion report, published by ACoRP earlier this year is “a vital resource in looking at the many ways in which community rail can have an impact on social inclusion”. It looks at how this influence can be developed, and makes recommendations for action to the rail industry.

The report defines social inclusion, equality, diversity, social cohesion and accessibility - all terms that were not in common usage when the first CRP was formed, but which are now at the very foundations of the community rail movement.

In her foreword, Townsend writes: “There is growing consciousness within community rail, the rail industry, and key government and third sector partners, that the benefits being realised through community rail activities are far broader than boosting passenger numbers alone.

“Community rail volunteering… brings people together, enhancing health, wellbeing and cohesion. Initiatives to help different groups access rail travel link people who may otherwise be marginalised or disadvantaged to greater opportunities for employment, education and recreation. ‘Traditional’ community rail work to promote railway lines also plays a vital role in helping everyone gain access to sustainable, healthy, sociable travel. In short, community rail is enhancing social inclusion in a whole spectrum of important ways.”

In its work with RSSB, ACoRP is helping develop a framework for better assessing the social value of the railways. This will be for the wider use of the industry, but Townsend believes it will be “incredibly useful to community rail” and enable the industry and government to examine how the railway not only contributes economic value, but also social value.