The Awards for 2008 were presented at a Gala Dinner on Friday 19th September 2008 at Plymouth Pavillions, by Andsrew Haines Managing Director of First Great Western and Charles Howeson Chairman of First Great Western

 

 

 

 Along with our Community Rail partners we were named as the Overall Winner with South West Trains at the 2008 Community Rail Awards on Friday 19 September.

 

The awards recognise the best projects from across the country and have traditionally been dominated by northern operators. However on Friday the work of South West Trains and its three community rail partners: Isle of Wight CRP, Lymington Line CRP, the Three Rivers CRP and station adoption groups secured victory for the South.

The judges said: “Recognising just one winner is not an easy task. However, one train operator, its three CRPs and a growing band of Station Adopters has come from nowhere to challenge the dominance of the North of England in the CRP stakes.”

1st Place South West Trains, The Dream Train
The Dream train was a two day event to promote the Lymington Line and help promote a community charity event. Featuring South West Trains staff in fancy dress, special commemorative tickets and appalling weather, the event raised £2,000 for the Dreams Come True charity.
The judges thought this was a very good example of a train operator working with partners to promote its line using an existing event, thereby adding value to that event , and indeed assisting an excellent charity.

Runners up prizes were won by:

• Ian MacAvoy and the station team at Brockenhurst in the Outstanding Railway Staff Contribution category, for their work to improve the station;
• Bobby Lock, Isle of Wight and Lymington Line CRP rail officer, for her outstanding work with both partnerships and the successful delivery of several community projects, including TravelSafe and the renovation of Sandown Station.

South West Trains also took a runners-up prize in the Photography section with a shot of Batman and Robin at the Dream Train event.

3rd Place South West Trains, the Heritage Railway Trust & Network Rail for Swaythling Station
Swaything station is a small listed building located on the outskirts of Southampton. The station suffered from an increased level of vandalism, falling patronage and a fear by local residents that the station was a no-go area.
In 2007, part of the station had to be removed, due to a fire and the need to remove asbestos. South West Trains saw an opportunity to work with its partners to transform the station and restore a traditional heritage appearance that would encourage usage, make a real visual impact and engage local residents by creating a station to be proud of. Passenger numbers are up 5% at Swaythling and there have been no reports of vandalism since the work was completed.

Phil Dominey, South West Trains Stakeholder Manager, said: “It was a great night for all of us. To see so many of our schemes recognised was terrific and will provide a huge boast for those groups and partners who work so hard with us to improve people’s travelling experience.”