Sussex Downs Line rail group’s annual review has highlighted their social value

The report from Southeast Communities Rail Partnership (SCRP) details more than 500 volunteers working on its lines who put in more than 19,000 hours in 2023 worth an estimated £268,000 in social value. The group says there are 40 volunteers who devote 6,500 hours annually to improve the 10 stations on the Sussex Downs Line.

Tim Barkley, chair of Southeast Communities Rail Partnership Community Interest Company, said: “We were able to deliver a number of successful projects collaborating with community groups and partners. We were incredibly pleased with the support we received from partners, station adopters, volunteers, and our train operating companies during 2023.

"SCRP is continuing to build on the successes of last year and is again working with local community groups and partners on a range projects and events. The interest in our education work continues to grow and there is strong demand from schools for lessons on the environment and low carbon travel.”

SCRP’s document also summarises the thousands of school workshops, station visits and ‘Try a Train’ trips conducted by its education and line officers. The pages covering the Sussex Downs Line showcase projects and events at the stations from Seaford to Brighton via Lewes.

These include: The launch of an integrated travel map and leaflets showing walking and bus routes for onward journeys from Seaford. Awards from rail user group Railfuture for the Friends of Bishopstone Station for the conversion of the Old Parcel Room into a thriving community hub. Artwork produced by the Youth Group for Christ which now sits above the ticket office window at Newhaven Town station. Thousands of pounds raised on a charity farewell tour for the Class 313 trains which have now been replaced on the route.

The full report is available to read and download at tinyurl.com/SCRP-Annual-Review-2023

Southeast Communities Rail Partnership works to connect communities to people, places and opportunities on railway lines. It is an accredited rail partnership with the Department for Transport and has 10 Community Rail lines.

More details about the work of Southeast CRP at www.southeastcrp.org