TfW FOI Request - Whitchurch (Shropshire) station

Date issued: 13 August 2019

Thank you for your Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request of 21 July 2019. You requested the following information in relation to Whitchurch (Shropshire) station:

• a copy of the Social and Commercial Development Plan and any outlines for work to improve step free access which have been published in the last 12 months.

The Social and Commercial Development Plan (SCDP) is primarily focussed on improving use of station buildings, particularly space that is currently disused, for community purposes. There are no station buildings as such at Whitchurch station hence no specific SCDP plan has been produced. There is a separate, wider plan for community engagement which is led by our Head of Community Rail. Transport for Wales is currently appointing Community Ambassadors to support this programme and to engage with local authorities and social enterprises on the specific needs of all stations and the communities they serve. The intent is for this programme to be fully mobilised by April 2020. The SCDP is not specifically linked to accessibility projects.

Transport for Wales supported the Welsh Government on the submission of an Access for All (AFA) funding programme for stations across the network in October 2018. Whitchurch was not included in the submission shortlist.

However, we are currently looking at a further AFA funding programme; the mid-tier programme. This Network Rail is managing this programme and the Welsh Government will approve it prior to submission to the Department for Transport in November 2019. Transport for Wales is looking at requirements for Whitchurch, access between platforms, but cannot advise of anything more specific until the overall submission is approved.

Our Accessibility and Inclusivity Panel is currently looking at minor works improvements across the network and any specific items identified for Whitchurch will be addressed.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact Transport for Wales.

Yours sincerely

Transport for Wales