Sustainable Transport And Tourism A ‘Must Do’ For Wales
9th November 2009

Speaking at a conference to launch the report of a Study Group into Sustainable Transport and Tourism in Wales, Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones made it clear that the Assembly Government is 100% behind efforts to make tourism in Wales sustainable.

He endorsed the recommendations of the Study Group, which was made up of representatives from the public transport and tourism sectors in Wales, saying that it was heartening to see such ‘joined up’ working.

Short term objectives set out in the report are to:

• Provide better information to visitors on what sustainable transport options are currently available
• Encourage more local services linked to visitor attractions
• Offer incentives to visitors to use public transport
• Simplify ticketing arrangements including integrated ticketing for different modes of transport
• Provide travel planning for key visitor attractions

‘It’s important that we make it happen, on the ground’ said the Minister. ‘Travel and tourism have a key part to play in reducing CO2 emissions. This is just the start: our Sustainable Tourism Forum will be taking these recommendations forward’ he said.

His comments were endorsed and supported by Jo Jones, Director of Tourism and Marketing, Welsh Assembly Government, and Gareth Hall, Director General, Dept for the Economy and Transport.

Later in the conference, the Community Rail Officers of Wales launched their own contribution to the sustainability campaign – a full colour A2 poster promoting ‘Scenic Wales by Train and Traws Cambria’. The poster folds down to convenient pocket size. One side shows the key scenic rail routes of Wales and the Border counties. The other side provides suggestions for tourism attractions and activities that are easily accessed by train and the expanding Traws Cambria coach network.

‘We are keen to promote tourism in Wales by public transport’, explained  Community Rail Officer David Edwards, of the Heart of Wales Line Forum. At our regular promotional events in English rail terminals people often ask us ‘where is the best place to go in Wales? This poster –map provides the introductory information they need, and highlights where they can find out more.

ENDS

Notes For Editors

1. The Conference was arranged by The Association of Community Rail Partnerships (ACoRP: www.acorp.uk.com) in collaboration with the Rail and Tourism departments of the Welsh Assembly Government.
The event was chaired by ACoRP General Manager Neil Buxton

2. A pdf of the new poster can be downloaded from www.scenicwales.co.uk

3. Other speakers at the event were

• Margaret Everson (Bus Users UK Cymru),
• Ben Davies (Arriva Trains Wales)
• Sir Brooke Boothby, (Wales Tourism Alliance)
• Richard Burningham (Devon and Cornwall Community Rail Partnership)

‘Connecting Communities’ Report Welcomed by ACoRP
15th June 2009

The Association of Community Rail Partnerships (ACoRP) welcomed the publication of ATOC’s ‘Connecting Communities’ report as a sensible first step towards reconnecting some towns and villages with the rail network.

“Although ACoRP largely deals with the existing network, we often meet with people who are frustrated at the lack of access to the railway, despite the size of their community” said Neil Buxton, ACoRP’s General Manager.  “‘We appreciate that building or re-opening a railway can be expensive but this report shows that it is possible to present a good business case in a number of locations”.  “A rail connection can help with regeneration, access to work and education and maintain social cohesion” he added. 

‘Connecting Communities’ sits well with ACoRP’s  2008 report on the Value of Community Rail Partnerships, which demonstrated that rural and local lines were generally showing a 3% increase in passengers over and above that being achieved by the network as a whole.  It also demonstrated that a properly functioning community rail partnership could show a benefit to cost ration of 4.6:1.

“There’s an increasing groundswell of opinion suggesting that, with proper support, existing or re-opened local railways can now deliver much better performance and offer much more to their local community than in the past” commented Mr Buxton.

ENDS

More information please contact Neil Buxton ACoRP General Manager on 07779 795671

Notes

1. The Association of Community Rail Partnerships (ACoRP) represents the interests of over 60 Community Rail Partnerships and Station Adoption Groups across the UK.

2. Community Rail Partnerships are an affiliation of interested parties – usually including the train operator and local authority, local business and individuals – whose aim is to work together in promoting and developing a local or rural line for the good of the community as a whole.

3. The ‘Value of Community Rail Partnerships’  report can be found on the ACoRP website www.acorp.uk.com

4. Connecting Communities’ is available from the Association of Train Operating Companies www.atoc.org