Our action plan 2007-08:

CRP AWARENESS
Project Description Timescale Success measure
Passenger Count Two Passenger Counts carried out on Line-joint commission with Silverlink May and Oct 07 Completion of two passenger counts
Passenger survey One survey carried out Oct 07 Completion of passenger survey
CRP Website Management and update Ongoing Website regularly updated. Hits monitored.
CRP community information and awareness Information leaflets / posters produced Ongoing Community information distributed and displayed. Increase in CRP and ABFLY membership.
CRP newsletter Production of CRP quarterly newsletter April, July, Oct, Jan Newsletter produced and distributed

 

 

PROMOTION & MARKETING
Project Description Timescale Success measure
Line Guide DL size brochure - timetable, attractions, walks, events Jan 08 Produced. Wide distribution through TOC, HCC & DC networks.
Promotional goods CRP pens, pencils, balloons etc as required CRP 'goodies' distributed in community & at local events
Tactical marketing Tourism, leisure, shopping, hospitals, sport, etc. Special leaflets and promotions as required Attendance at organised events.
Mini guides/timetable Production of mini timetable Dec 07, June 08 Mini timetable updated and distributed.
Special Trains Repeat Santa Specials, Ghost Train, Easter Eggspress. Community Rail Event. Relate to special events in Watford or St Albans. April, May, October, December Attendance. Increased ticket sales.

 

 

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Project Description Timescale Success measure
Schools curriculum Train trips for primary schools. Target Years 6,7,8 in 2007/08. Art campaign, environment-themed campaign. Win an iPod. Ongoing Increase in number of school visits to the line. Number of schools contacted.
Station adoption Define terms and opportunities for each station. Small grants to kickstart projects. Ongoing All stations adopted. Monitoring information reaching TOC and NR.
Community Safety Inter agency working on Community Safety (District councils, police and BTP). Joint projects identified and implemented. Ongoing Crime statistics co-ordinated. Issues identified and joint project implemented over next 3 years.
Maintain community Gardens Creative use of land at some stations Ongoing One community space designated.
Bricket Wood Station Progress with Network Rail and TOC with lease on building and new tenants Ongoing Tenants confirmed

 

 

OVERHEADS
Project Description Timescale Success measure
Meetings CRP Steering Committee meetings, AGM and workshop Ongoing Meetings held and attended
Overhead PO Box, ACoRP membership, community memberships (e.g. Verulam Radio) Ongoing  

 

 

SPECIAL PROJECTS - 'one offs'
Project Description Timescale Success measure
Publicity on new passing loop Raise awareness about increased number of trains when approved by DfT Community aware
150th anniversary event Plan special event for 150th anniversary May 2008 Numbers increased
Reprint Oakwood Press book Reprint and update the history of the Abbey Line 2008 Books sold
Off-rail survey 2 surveys: one of residents within 0.5 mile radius of stations and one of businesses to find out why they do or do not use the train (tie in with passenger survey) Oct 2007, 08 Raise awareness, improve train service to address needs of community
Public art Produce a tiled mural or painted mural with local schools to improve the station look 2008 More attractive station
Environmental campaign Produce a poster campaign and advertising material that describes the environmental impact of taking a train vs.car 2007 Increase passenger numbers
Other themed trains 150th anniversary special, jazz train, mum & tots train? 2007 Increase passenger traffic
Youth involvement Tiled murals, environmental campaign, give timetables to schools, station adoption with scouts? 2007 Good community corporate citizenship, ability to use more budget to provide improved lanscaped stations
Garston security Implement CCTV at Garston, find station adoptors 2007 Station has fewer reports of vandalism, less costly to maintain
Facilitate franchise changeover Ensure smooth transition with TOC Nov 07 Customer does not see any difference (except a positive one)
Improve revenue collection Agree and implement one day travel card & / or carnet card May 07 Travel card implemented. Increase in ticket sales.

 

 

LONG-TERM PROJECTS
Project Description Timescale Success measure
New Abbey Station development Improve station waiting area, put in bus access 2009 Better station facilities
Bricket Wood station Find a long-term tenant 2007 Tenant secured, building restored to use
Watford Junction platform 11 Ensure that Watford Junction redevelopment does not leave Abbey Line out in the cold 2009 Abbey Line well integrated into any improvements at Watford Junction station
Electronic real-time information Implement signage to inform customers when the next train is due and any delays 2009 Better informed customers
CCTV Implement CCTV and monitoring for every station. Integrate it with PA system so that if there is activity, monitor can shout down the line 2009 Safer stations, less vandalism, increased customers
Special event bus integration Identify all special events, coordinate buses with those events 2008 Increase passenger numbers
Integration with bus services Work with HCC and private bus operators to get integrated schedule 2008 Improved and integrated public transport
Improve cycle and pedestrian access to all stations Audit all stations for pedestrian and cycle access, put in bicycle racks / shelters at all stations where feasible 2009 Improved and integrated public transport
Abbey-City shuttle Designate a bus schedule that can ferry passengers between stations (publicise existing buses) 2008 Improved and integrated public transport
Station signage Identification of stations and facilities 2007 Scheme installed and completed
Alban Way cycle integration Feasibility work looking at extension of Alban Way cycle path to Abbey Station and link to St Julian's Estate 2007 Options identified and costed
Station information Update and installation of bus information and other bus information where necessary 2007 Strategy confirmd. Minor improvements done.
Bus services / integrated Finalise proposals as part of Pilot Project 2008 Proposals agreed by Pilot Client Group
Alternative integrated transport services Investigation of what is required and what is feasible 2008 Options identified and costed
Upgrade station facilities Definitive audit carried out and new / upgraded facilities installed 2008 (Year 1 of 3?) Programme identified and prioritised
Later trains / Boxing Day train Increase number of passengers on trains, especially after shows on weekends and commuters 2009 Improved schedule
Walking signage from Abbey to City station Put in poster and pedestrian signs showing designated route between stations 2008 Implemented

 

 

 

 

 

Some achievements.....

Bike racks - St Albans Abbey

Connecting buses - special events

'Mini-guides'

Abbeyline schools DVD

Easter, Santa and Halloween Trains

Dropped kerb - Park Street

Resurfaced, marked out and properly metered parking - St Albans Abbey

Travelling roadshow

Community Notice boards, Watford North and Garston stations

Rail ale trail

School visit to Bricket Wood

Station adoption groups