About Us
The WCRP vision for connecting stations to local communities
The WCRP, which recently celebrated its fifth anniversary, is a collaboration of local government, the rail industry and community groups.
The partnership focuses on promoting rail travel, improving stations and encouraging community pride through station adoption schemes, arts projects, and educational outreach throughout the county of Worcestershire.
Key priorities for the partnership include:
- Expanding the station adoption program: Currently, over half of Worcestershire’s 18 stations benefit from volunteer efforts to create safer and more welcoming spaces.
- Promoting sustainability and connectivity: Encouraging rail as a greener alternative to reduce congestion and support economic growth.
- Community engagement: Building stronger ties with schools, colleges, and local organisations to develop rail stations as community hubs.
- Celebrating Rail 200 in 2025: Participating in the bicentennial of passenger rail to highlight its role in connecting communities and shaping the future.
Tom Painter, Chair of the Worcester Community Rail Partnership
Tom Painter, the newly appointed chair of the Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership (WCRP) has set out his plans to strengthen ties between railway stations and the communities they serve to make them a source of local pride.
Tom Painter, general manager of the West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE) and head of rail at Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), will lead renewed efforts transforming stations into vibrant gateways that reflect local character and culture while promoting sustainable travel.
Tom said: “Our railway stations should be sources of community pride, not just places to catch a train. By deepening the bonds between local people and their stations, we can make rail travel a more vibrant and appealing option for people across Worcestershire and beyond.
“I want to enable more people across Worcestershire to come forward and adopt more local stations and help us turn them into valued community facilities.”
This appointment comes as the WCRP addresses key challenges, such as improving rural and urban connectivity, reducing congestion, and encouraging inclusion and creativity through rail.
Fiona Saxon, Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership Officer
Fiona Saxon, Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership Officer
I am particularly keen to bring railway stations into the heart of the communities they serve, by providing opportunities for residents to take ownership of the area they live in, and to help shape their future while promoting sustainable and accessible travel.
Working with residents, volunteers, stakeholders and rail and station staff, I will offer support to create environments that are welcoming, vibrant and conducive to regeneration.
Hayley Cartwright, Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership Officer
Hayley Cartwright, Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership Officer
Hi, I’m Hayley, and I am committed to connecting local stations with the communities they serve. Working alongside Fiona, I collaborate with local groups, businesses, volunteers, train operators and staff to transform railway stations into welcoming, vibrant community hubs.
Through engagement, creativity, and sustainable initiatives, I aim to promote rail travel as a key part of a greener, more inclusive future.
With a background in both the charity and construction sectors, I bring a unique perspective to community-driven projects. When I’m not working, you’ll likely find me outdoors—either running for fitness or keeping up with my two little girls!
Let’s work together to breathe new life into our local stations and make a lasting impact.
For general information, please contact the Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership Officers, using the form on this page.
Postal Address:
Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership
c/o West Midlands Rail Executive
16 Summer Lane, Birmingham B19 3SD
Get in touch
For timetable, ticket or train running information, contact:
West Midlands Railway www.westmidlandsrailway.co.uk
Great Western Railway www.gwr.com
CrossCountry www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk
For assisted travel information and booking:
For help getting on or off the train,
contact National Rail on 0800 022 3720
Calls are free from UK mobiles and landlines.
To report immediate issues concerning the track, overhead line equipment, bridges, level crossings, fencing, trees etc., contact:
Network Rail National Helpline 03457 11 41 41
To report immediate issues with the stations, lighting, or passenger information equipment, please contact:
West Midlands Railway www.westmidlandsrailway.co.uk/contact-us/customer-relations
OR for stations between Worcestershire Parkway and Honeybourne please contact www.gwr.com/help-and-support/contact
TEXT 61016 to report a crime on the railway to the British Transport Police (ring 999 in an emergency)