Stations investment boosts regeneration, says report

Investing in railway stations could help boost local economies and communities in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, says the Urban Transport Group.

The UTG’s Action stations:

How devolution is transforming rail stations for the better report, published on August 12, finds that local stations are better in areas where sub-national transport bodies have a strong role.

The group believes this finding helps to strengthen the case for further devolution of Britain’s railways.

The report examines more than 35 completed station projects from across the UK and concludes that by taking an active role in them, local and devolved authorities have helped to meet local housing needs and encourage regeneration.

Among its findings, the report says: “In recent years we have seen more stations transformed from run-down Victorian hulks, or spartan bus-sheltered platforms, into places that people can take pride in, feel comfortable in using, and which are fulfilling more of their wider potential. Local councils, and devolved authorities and administrations, have been key to this process.”

Transport policy consultant and report co-author Stephen Joseph said: “Stations are more than simply the places where trains stop, they also help to define those places - acting as attractive gateways which celebrate and reflect history, becoming a focus for commercial and community activities, and even spurring housing developments and wider regeneration.

“The need to deliver these types of benefits is more urgent than ever in the wake of the Coronavirus crisis.

“As the custodians of place, local, regional and devolved administrations recognise what stations can do for local communities and economies both now and in the future.

“Their active role in station projects - whether renovating older stations or building new ones - and the benefits this brings further strengthens the case for greater devolution of our railways.”