MAIN BRIEF - Community Rail Partnership Research

 Competitors Research

Gloucestershire Community Rail Partnership 

1. Who are they and what do they do? 

   They contribute to visitor experiences and long term economic sustability. They improve accessibility to public transport and improve the integration of transport through sustainable modes. They increase ridership profile and community involvement at all Gloucestershire's railway stations and provide community insight to shape future proposals for rail investment and services across the county.

   What services do they provide?

   GCRP provide services such as providing a voice for the community, providing sustainable and healthy travel, bringing communities together and supporting diversity and inclusion and also supporting social and economic developments. They have different trails around areas in Gloucestershire and they also provide access maps.

   Visual Materials:
   

   They use illustrative visual materials (as seen in the image) to help people get around the rail trails in Gloucestershire. Each area has their own map which contains drawings and text boxes. Each of these maps can be downloaded to help navigate wether that be travelling or just commuting to and from school/work. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Devon and Cornwall Community Rail Partnership
   
   
   

   Who are they and what do they do?
   
   
   They help Devon and Cornwall's brand lines to grow. They are a non-profit partnership between local authorities, the railway and the University of Plymouth, where they are based. 
   
   
   What services do they provide?
   
   
   They promote branch lines, engage the community, support economic growth, help deliver improvements and also work in partnership. They have helped secure more frequent trains on each of the counties’ branch lines, and have made stations more attractive and welcoming in partnership with community volunteers.
   
   
    Visual Materials: 
   
   
   

   Devon and Cornwall rail partnership uses leaflets they state "We produce a range of leaflets distributed either door-to-door or through tourist leaflet racks, accommodation providers, railway stations and other outlets". These leaflets are photographic as seen in the image attached. They also use illustrative infographics to show where they cover.

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   The Cambrian Railway Partnership

   
   

   

   Who are they and what do they do? 

   
   

   "Hosted by Ceredigion County Council and our primary funding comes from Transport for Wales with additional funding gratefully received from Avanti West Coast and Shropshire County Council." The Cambrian Railway spans 120 miles and is one of the most scenic, unspoilt, natural beauty routes in Britain.

   
   

   What services do they provide?

   
   

   They connect local communities with their railway, they deliver social benefits, increase rail use, promote social inclusion and also sustainable travel.

   
   

   Visual Materials:

   
   

   

   To show the map of their line, they use infographics and illustrative aspects to make it simple but recognisable."With the Cambrian Line Map, the Partnership felt that it needed a map of the railway line that showcased the various points of interest along the route, showing where the line is located geographically and all the main stops and associated historical places of interest along the line."They also have a leaflet showing walks that you can complete which is mainly photographic but does contain some illustrative features:

   

   
   
   
   
   
   

   How would I rate this competitor (1 = best, 3 = worst)

   
   
   Gloucestershire: 1 - they have a nice set of infographic maps for each location which are easy to follow and also include information on the area.
   
   
   Devon and Cornwall: 3 - they have some maps/leaflets in place, however these just use generic 'stock' images, I feel they could make it more exciting and interactive.
   
   
   Cambrian: 2 - they have recently designed a new illustrative infographic map which shows iconic places along the line however I feel this could be carried into their leaflets better. This would make it more interactive and easier to understand.
   
   
   References
   (Accessed 28th and 29th of Jan 2023)
   
   
   https://www.gloucestershirecommunityrail.org
   https://www.gloucestershirecommunityrail.org/_files/ugd/85c64d_fc781c44c0574b09b9468b8ba9e47c70.pdf
   https://www.gloucestershirecommunityrail.org/leisure-trails
   https://dcrp.org.uk
   https://dcrp.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Newquay-vertical-leaflet-2018.pdf
   https://www.thecambrianline.co.uk
   https://www.thecambrianline.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Cambrian-Railway-Partnership-Annual-Report-for-2021-2022-FINAL.pdf
   https://www.thecambrianline.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Cambrian_Coast_Walks_2018_webres.pdf