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Swansea Station Shared Vision Meeting

Swansea Station Shared Vision Meeting

by | Apr 9, 2021 | Community Rail Partnership

SWANSEA STATION SHARED VISION MEETING

South West Wales Connected is hosting community vision meetings across the region, in towns and villages around railway stations, to give local people more of a voice about the challenges and opportunities as they see them. This was the first virtual meeting in Swansea and saw open community discussion exploring opportunities around Swansea railway station and High Street. 

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Swansea city centre is undergoing a major urban transformation project, with over £1 billion being invested across the city, so that Swansea can realise its potential as a vibrant regional capital where people love to live, work, visit and study.

High Street is also seeing some major investments, including new student accommodation, as well as the long-awaited and very exciting refurbishment of the Palace Theatre – an iconic building that the local authority has been able to rescue from complete decline.  Dyfatty shops at the top end of Swansea High Street are also the focus of attention as the council seeks community involvement to identify new uses for these vacant units.

Swansea Railway Station is also undergoing improvements through Transport for Wales’ Station Improvement Vision, while plans for the Swansea Bay Metro are currently out for consultation, aiming to transform the transport network in the Swansea Bay area, boosting the local economy and providing better access to job and leisure opportunities.

So it’s a great time to come together and talk about the future of the station, the high street and the local area!

EVENT AIMS

Broadly speaking, this community meeting was about three interconnected themes:

Creating a greater sense of place and pride of place

Amplifying what is distinctive, positive and strong about local areas – what do we love, what are we most proud of, what do we want to be famous for?

Improving community wellbeing

Giving local people a voice, joining the dots between good things that are happening locally, empowering people to get involved in local projects, and looking at environmental interventions, like green spaces, community gardens, encouraging active travel and engaging young people.

Improving the arrival experience for visitors

What do people see when they get off the train, and how can we make it a more positive experience?  Tackling challenges like way-finding, tourist information, highlighting local attractions and independent businesses, and ensuring connectivity with the best that the local area has to offer.

WATCH THE WHOLE CONVERSATION

WHAT WE LOVE

Despite the challenges in this part of the city centre, there is so much to be positive about – strengths and assets that we can build on as we seek to breathe life into the area.  Throughout the discussion, people shared the things they love about Swansea and the high street, including the friendliness of the community, the independent businesses, the fact that we are a small city with our own identity, the entrepreneurial and creative spirit, and the way High Street can be regarded as the closest we’ve got to “our own version of Camden town”.

People acknowleged that there is a lot of work to do to amplify “the good stuff”, given the problems of antisocial behaviour and also the challenge of recovering from COVID – but these are just some of the things people highlighted as our existing assets:

  • The variety of independent businesses
  • The High Street is the gateway to Swansea. The station is a key to getting more visitors to the city.
  • Lots of new developments – investment is happening.
  • Recent developments have enhanced the ‘city feel’ – high rise, high density.
  • The willingness and desire to create change from the community, businesses and key partners.
  • Real people, not too posh, affordable, down to earth.
  • Architecture, historic buildings, many of which are listed. Palace Theatre, Maritime Quarter, YMCA building, churches.
  • Heritage, people remember the old Swansea which such fondness.
  • Close proximity to stunning natural assets including Kilvey Hill, River Tawe, Gower and the coastline.
  • Strong creative and arts culture.
  • Pop-up galleries, exhibitions and creative events are a common occurrence in Swansea.
  • We are a City of Sanctuary (Wales’ first, UK’s second)
  • Swansea’s culture is its heart.
  • A warm welcome and hospitality from the community.

WHAT WE WANT

  • Swansea’s history needs to be more widely celebrated – Industrial revolution, Swansea was key.
  • Connectivity across the city is disjointed. Improved signposting to our coastline, local parks, places of interest.
  • Improved connection between the railway station and bus station – frequent circuit buses around the city centre? Adopt an approach similar to the Swansea Bay Rider Land Train.
  • Repurpose the High Line for increased connectivity. Could this be linked through to the Quakers burial ground?
  • Adoption of a Totally Locally style approach: Maps, guides.
  • A brighter and more welcoming station. The waiting room in the station made to feel more inviting, safer. Safer spaces for women.
  • Increased level of safety, better lighting, security around quieter areas, pedestrian tunnels, etc.
  • More green spaces, allotment spaces, green roofs, sustainable developments.
  • Spaces within and surrounding Swansea railway station used as a community hub. Spaces that could be hired for business meetings, workshops and events.
  • Areas of play – outdoor play and exercise equipment should be in the city. Existing areas of outdoor play are far from the city centre.
  • Bike hire close to the station, encouragement of active travel to move around the city.
  • More focus on pedestrian and cyclist friendly routes, encouragement of on-foot spending.
  • Direct connection down to river from the station  and establish a ‘view’ from station to coastal area.
  • Make the station and surrounding area less impersonal, welcome the involvement of local people, such as Swansea Community Workshop and other groups with creative input.
  • De-pave and get a rain garden out front of the train station.
  • Full shared surface across the whole of the junction at the station – a public square with access for buses , bikes and green.

GREEN SPACES

Green space, nature and play emerged as key themes from the discussion.  In this video, Owen Griffiths from Ways of Working presents our proposals for bringing nature to the area around High Street Station – a project that we are currently bidding for funding to deliver on behalf of the Community Rail Partnership.

 

CONTACT

To get involved with ongoing actions, please get in touch or join our Swansea Shared Vision group on Facebook. 

Everyone is welcome and everyone has a valuable contribution to make. Please email zoe@4theregion.com and jennifer@southwestwales.co for more details.

South West Wales Connected aims to facilitate community-led initiatives and provide a forum for local people to have a voice.  We want to break down silos and enable more sharing of information with and among the local community.  We will lobby on behalf of communities to make change happen, and we can’t do anything without the support and involvement of local people – so please get involved and spread the word so that together we can make positive things happen!

PARTICIPANTS

As well as local residents representing the community around Swansea station, this discussion brought together many local organisations keen to be part of changemaking initiatives.

  • Neil Barry – Swansea Community Green Spaces Project
  • Leonie Ramondt – Swansea Co Housing
  • Owen Griffiths – Artist, Ways of Working
  • Amanda Davies – Swansea Bay University Health Board 
  • Amy Beuse – Local Area Coordinator, Dyfatty
  • Claire Savage – Pattern Design, Swansea College of Art
  • Claudine Conway – Volcano Theatre
  • David Toft – Fresh Creative Co
  • Huw Williams, Andrew – Coastal Housing
  • Paul – Rail Passengers Committee
  • Jo – Mixtup
  • John Davies – BayTrans
  • John Sayce – Wheelrights 
  • Laura Gill – Glynn Vivian
  • Phillip McDonnell – Swansea Environmental Forum
  • Paul Relf – Economic Development, Swansea Council
  • Demery, Roberts – PSCO, British Transport Police
  • Rhiannon-Jayne Raftery – Community Rail Network
  • Hugh Evans, Arron Bevan-John – Transport for Wales
  • Thom Lynch – Matt’s House
  • Vikki Butler – CARP Collaborations
  • Ben Reynolds – Urban Foundry

ABCD

Milford Haven Shared Vision Meeting Part 2

Milford Haven Shared Vision Meeting Part 2

by | Mar 31, 2021 | Community Rail Partnership

MILFORD HAVEN TRAIN STATION SHARED VISION MEETING PART 2

South West Wales Connected is hosting community vision meetings across the region, in towns and villages around railway stations, to give local people more of a voice about the challenges and opportunities as they see them.  This was the second meeting in Milford Haven (virtually via Zoom) to try and move some of the ideas and aspirations forward.

These notes are also available in PDF format here.

Thank you to Pembrokeshire County Council, Port of Milford Haven, Visit Milford Haven, Transport for Wales and the Town Council for supporting this event, in partnership with South West Wales Connected Community Rail Partnership, hosted by 4theRegion.

EVENT OVERVIEW

Broadly speaking, these meetings are about three interconnected themes:

Creating a greater sense of place and pride of place

Amplifying what is distinctive, positive and strong about local areas – what do we love, what are we most proud of, what do we want to be famous for?

Improving community wellbeing

Giving local people a voice, joining the dots between good things that are happening locally, empowering people to get involved in local projects, and looking at environmental interventions, like green spaces, community gardens, encouraging active travel and engaging young people.

Improving the arrival experience for visitors

What do people see when they get off the train, and how can we make it a more positive experience?  Tackling challenges like way-finding, tourist information, highlighting local attractions and independent businesses, and ensuring connectivity with the best that the local area has to offer.

RECAP OF THE PREVIOUS EVENT

This was the second Community Vision Meeting for Milford Haven, following a well-attended and productive initial conversation back in July 2020.  At that meeting, some clear opportunities were identified, and local people, businesses and organisations shared information and ideas about what they would like to see.  The issues emerging from the first meeting can be summarised as follows:

  • Connectivity with the town is difficult

  • Connectivity with the waterfront could be much better

  • Neglected “end of the line” feeling at the station – and no facilities

  • Arriving in a retail park is not the right message for Milford Haven

  • Opportunities for planting and landscaping

  • Improved signage, place branding and visitor information

Since July, South West Wales Connected, Milford Haven Port Authority, Transport for Wales, Network Rail, the town board and other regional stakeholders have continued to meet at intervals, to try and address these issues and progress some of the ideas. 

WHAT WE LOVE

VISIT MILFORD HAVEN

The town board has formed the Visit Milford Haven tourism association for the town, working on a new brand and campaign website, which is a great step forward and provides a stronger sense of what Milford Haven is all about.

On arrival in Milford Haven by train, first impressions aren’t great!  And there’s a risk that people bypass the town / waterfront altogether by just jumping in a cab and going elsewhere in the county.  But there is so much to celebrate and highlight in the local area, so many reasons for people to stay and explore the town – these things need to form part of our shared understanding of Milford Haven as a place, as we move forward:

  • Fantastic marina and waterfront just 5 minutes from the station, lovely restaurants – on a sunny day you could be in Portugal or St Tropez!
  • Independent theatre – Torch Theatre (and cinema) “jewel in the crown”
  • Museum – an unappreciated gem – three floors of history, audio tours
  • Lots of history going back to Quakers, Nelson visiting – fantastic heritage.
  • Great walks, Pembrokeshire Coastal Path
  • Beautiful scenery all around us
  • Friendly community
  • Major events on the Waterfront attracting lots of visitors
  • Hotel development – a new 100-bed hotel – could be the making of the destination, very exciting.
  • Plenty of opportunity to bring in businesses – the conference centre development in Quay Stores will be delayed because of COVID, but there are still lots of opportunities.

WHAT WE’D LOVE TO SEE

TEMPORARY STATION FACILITIES

An exciting initiative arising out of the first meeting is the emerging proposal, supported by Transport for Wales, to develop some kind of temporary buildings for improved station facilities in the short term – for example by repurposing shipping containers into sustainable “eco buildings” that could house a waiting area, potentially a coffee shop, and some information for visitors.  The idea would be to develop a short term solution to address a chronic lack of facilities at the station, in the interim period before more permanent, expensive and complex solutions are developed by the local authority.

Today’s meeting asked “what would you love to see” as part of this proposed intervention, and the following ideas emerged from the discussion:

  • Ticket office – ideally staffed, but alternatively a ticket machine
  • Waiting area – the weather makes waiting very unappealing, so indoor waiting space would be great
  • A coffee shop or at least a vending machine – ideally a local business could provide hot drinks and snacks on the station for waiting passengers
  • A community noticeboard featuring information about the town
  • A map – “you are here” – highlighting local amenities and attractions
  • A place to keep leaflets from local businesses and tourist attractions
  • A digital signage solution to promote local assets – digital might be easier to keep updated
  • Toilet facilities would greatly improve the experience for passengers, if the infrastructure is available on site
  • Bus times and bus maps to improve connectivity with other transport
  • Planting, flowers, greenery – this is a priority, whatever happens!

KEEP PEOPLE INFORMED

People also noted that a major priority will be to keep local people informed about plans and proposals, and to make sure people realise that the “shipping container” idea is a SHORT TERM interim solution prior to the Council’s major investment in the station.  We don’t want members of the community to think they’ve been short changed and that all they’re getting is a few shipping containers – and we also want local people to get involved in the conversations, so a community information board was considered by today’s meeting to be a major priority – something that we should be able to progress straight away.  “Change is Coming to Milford Haven Station – Be Part of It” – acknowledging that the existing facilities are inadequate and letting people know that people are working on solutions.

COUNCIL INVESTMENT IN THE STATION

Alongside these conversations about a short term / temporary / demountable solution proposed by the CRP and Transport for Wales, residents may already be aware that Pembrokeshire County Council has been progressing exciting long term plans for a new station and integrated transport hub in Milford Haven.

This image shows some of the problems that Atkins has identified in relation to Milford Haven station, which their upcoming scheme will seek to address:

This list shows the objectives that the new station should seek to achieve for Milford Haven (this is Atkins’ list):

And this image shows the proposed layout developed in 2014 – which doesn’t necessarily reflect current thinking and priorities, but which is a useful starting point for discussion.

The Council has just secured funding for the next stage of this process, to start developing a detailed design, and is working with Atkins to progress through the “WELTAG” process.  George Lance from Atkins was on hand to present the current thinking and show initial plans from 2014.  It is really important that members of the community engage with these plans and have their voices heard, to ensure that what gets built in Milford Haven really addresses the right issues.  There will of course be a full formal consultation process as the plans move forward, but through the Community Rail Partnership we hope that the community can have a voice earlier and more strongly in shaping the proposals. 

People in today’s meeting expressed the sincere hope that the goals and ways of working outlined in the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act, and the Welsh Government’s latest Transport Strategy, are properly embraced in the plans for a new station – as well as the issues of connectivity with the town and the waterfront, which are emerging as a key focus for the community. 

Some participants expressed concern that the proposed solution is “an engineering solution that prioritises car users and the retail park”, whereas what is needed is an “urban design solution” that better addresses wider issues and opportunities, such as placemaking, connectivity with the core town centre and the waterfront, sense of place, active travel, green space, and creating a cohesive community.  We hope that Atkins will proactively engage with our group, through the community rail partnership, to ensure these ideas and priorities make it into the final designs.

EMERGING PROJECTS

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PARTICIPANTS

Dawn, Zoe, Toni, Evie, Jennifer – South West Wales Co
Ceri Rees – Pembrokeshire County Council
George Lance – Atkins
Jack Riley – Western Telegraph (covering MH)
Chris Bailey – SPECIFIC IKC, Swansea University
Stella Hooper – Milford Haven Port Authority
Erene Grieve – Vice-Chair of Pembs Rail Travellers Association
Colin Sharp – West Wales District Chamber
Kathy Gray – Milford Haven Town Council
Jim – local resident
Vivien Stoddart – Pembrokeshire County Councillor
Faye Nield, Hugh Evans and James Timber – TfW
Duncan – local resident
Dayle – Milford Youth Matters
Gordon – Urban Foundry

CONTACT

Please get in touch if you would like to be included as our Milford Haven projects emerge and move forward – everyone is welcome and everyone has a valuable contribution to make.  Please email zoe@4theregion.com and jennifer@southwestwales.co for more details, to update us on local projects, and to get involved in working groups to take ideas forward.

South West Wales Connected aims to facilitate community-led initiatives and provide a forum for local people to have a voice.  We want to break down silos and enable more sharing of information with and among the local community.  We will lobby on behalf of communities to make change happen, and we can’t do anything without the support and involvement of local people – so please get involved and spread the word so that together we can make positive things happen!

Llanelli Shared Vision Meeting

Llanelli Shared Vision Meeting

by | Jan 19, 2021 | Community Rail Partnership, Travel Transport Tourism

LLANELLI TRAIN STATION SHARED VISION MEETING

This meeting was organised by South West Wales Connected, the new community rail partnership hosted by 4theRegion & Transport for Wales. Our role is then to support, facilitate and and help to take forward the ideas that emerge from these conversations, so that things start happening on the ground. 

EVENT OVERVIEW

Our Llanelli Shared Vision Meeting took place on the 3rd December 2020, with an additional meeting taking place the week after on the 12th December. The purpose of our shared vision meetings is to engage with the local community and co-create a new vision for the station and the surrounding area.

Our Llanelli Shared Vision Meeting included quick updates from the following people and organisations:

  • Laura Aitchison, Team Lead – Housing Options & Chair of Tyisha Community Engagement plan for Carmarthenshire County Council
  • David Darkin, Managing Director, Darkin Architects on Y Linc, Llanelli Town Centre development
  • Dr. Sharon Burford, Swansea Bay City Region Project Manager for Pentre Awel
  • Thomas Evans, Transport Planner – Strategy and Infrastructure at Carmarthenshire County Council, discussing active travel routes
  • Marie Turke, Treasurer & Co-founder of Incredible Edible Carmarthenshire discussing community food growing and ideas for unused land
  • Eleanor Shaw – Llanelli People Speak Up

CURRENT ACTIONS

Laura Aitchison | Team Lead – Housing Options & Chair of Tyisha Community Engagement plan for Carmarthenshire County Council

  • Laura spoke of regeneration, demolition of old housing and building of new to encourage families into Tyisha
  • Dyfed Powys police are to work with the community and tackle crime, ASB and fly tipping
  • Aim to improve links immediately from the train station
  • Park area created in Anne’s Street in conjunction with the Town Council
  • Creation of a community hub
  • Links with schools for artwork
  • Newsletter to everyone in Tyisha

Dr. Sharon Burford | Swansea Bay City Region Project Manager for Pentre Awel

Also Chris Moore, Director of Corporate Services

  • SB gave a presentation and requested that it be circulated to all attendees
  • Pentre Awel part of the Swansea Bay City Deal project
  • Stage 3 of the design currently with CCC ahead of WG approval
  • The project, a £200million investment is being managed by CCC, area of land is owned by CCC
  • Ecology on the site is complete
  • Currently at detailed design stage and ready for procurement
  • Procurement contractor mid-January
  • Zone 1 – The Central Area includes a Nursing home/assisted living and a hotel development
  • Essential that Pentre Awel ‘lives within a community setting’

David Darkin | Managing Director, Darkin Architects on Y Linc, Llanelli Town Centre development

  • Y Linc development connects parts of the town – the main shopping centre, the market and Asda. Will be a mixture of bars/retail and residential, funded by WG
  • A new ‘street’ will be created, an arcade development. More use will be made of the square (by Sports Direct)
  • The design will feature timber and stone work with ‘green wall’
  • Completion December 2021. Described as the “biggest development in the town centre for a many years”

Marie Turke | Treasurer & Co-founder of Incredible Edible Carmarthenshire discussing community food growing and ideas for unused land

  • Background to IE Carms provided, currently transitioning to become a CIC. Existing community spaces in Burry Port and a herb garden on the harbour.
  • Maggie has recently started an Incredible Seed Library
  • Local schools and colleges already work with IE along with Mens Shed and a collaboration with the Deaf Centre
  • IE helped with the ‘Back to Basics’ initiative
  • IE have aspirations that include: chalet, raised beds housed within a polytunnel, raised pond (mental grid on top) with sloping sides and a sensory area to sit and relax with scented/climbing plants
  • Aim to bring gardening and growing to new people  

Thomas Evans | Transport Planner – Strategy and Infrastructure at Carmarthenshire County Council, discussing active travel routes

  • The railway line severs the links
  • Aspirations to build a bridge over the railway line
  • Also improve active travel links with the Good Shed
  • Direct active travel links with the school and onwards to the Wellness Village

Eleanor Shaw | Artistic Director, Peoplespeakup

  • People Speak Up is currently housed within Fferness Fach (part of Zion Chapel)
  • The building is shared with other artists
  • PSU are working with the people of the town
  • Eleanor shared a film made last year (pre Covid), currently working with young people of the town
  • PSU activities were all digital within 2 weeks of the Covid outbreak
  • Initiatives include storytelling by phone and creative writing, door step visits 
  • Current bid with Arts Centre to take over a shop front in centre of town – to have more of a visual presence 
  • Speak up “Travelling spot” transported around
  • PSU know what people ‘on the ground’  want

WHAT WE LOVE

  • People are proud and passionate 
  • Plenty of green space
  • Proximity to the coast, sandy waterfront 
  • Arts & Culture 
  • Famous people 
  • Pathway the leads you to nature – “Middle Earth”
  • Heritage worth celebrating (including the train station) 
  • The Market 
  • Stories of the people past and present 
  • Cycle track, Active travel – greener ways
  • Fantastic foraging 
  • Llanelli house 
  • Gateway to the Heart of Wales line 
  • Good infrastructure link to road networks

EMERGING IDEAS

  • Community Ambassadors 
  • Community space for Young People 
  • Signposting to active travel routes and transport links 
  • Station experience – a choir or piano 
  • Increase the profile of the shopping experience in Llanelli 
  • Encouraging tourism
  • Community Gardens 
  • Increase safety – lighting, cameras
  • Create a sense of community: 
    • Art,
    • Sea to station 
    • Housing on station road
    • Engagement, empowerment and follow up 
    • Action 
    • Reasons to go there 
    • A sense of place  
  • People’s Gallery – use the station for displaying art in the train station produced by local schools, groups or artists 
  • Produce showcase cabinet in the station 
  • Kind words – Instagram moments 
  • Promotion  of the Coffee Pot – good coffee 
  • Increased involvement with veterans 
  • Use for vacant properties

COMMUNITY ACTION

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PARTICIPANTS

  • 4theRegion
  • South West Wales Connected CRP
  • Transport for Wales
  • Transport for Wales Rail Services
  • Incredible Edible Carmarthenshire
  • Community Rail Network
  • Carmarthenshire LGBTQ+ project/ CETMA
  • Antioch Centre/Church
  • Darkin Architects
  • People Speak Up
  • DISCsimple
  • Great Places Project, Carmarthenshire County Council
  • Tyisha Project, Carmarthenshire County Council
  • Mencap Cymru
  • NRW
  • National Assembly/Senedd
  • AmL Hope Ltd
  • Llanelli Residents

CONTACT

With all the interaction and energy there was simply too much to cover in a single meeting, so we will regroup again to discuss next steps for taking things forward. 

Please get in touch if you would like to be included as our Llanelli projects emerge and move forward – everyone is welcome and everyone has a valuable contribution to make.  Please email zoe@4theregion.com and jennifer@southwestwales.co for more details.

South West Wales CRP – November Wider Group Meeting

South West Wales CRP – November Wider Group Meeting

by | Nov 30, 2020 | Community Rail Partnership

SOUTH WEST WALES CRP

WIDER STEERING GROUP – 20/11/2020

If you would like to be part of the temporary steering group, or if you have feedback or input you would like to contribute, please email Jennifer@SouthWestWales.co

Here follows a report of the virtual meeting of the temporary steering group on the 26th November 2020.  You can find a write up of notes from the steering group meeting below.

UPDATE ON SOUTH WEST WALES CONNECTED

Community and Partnership Projects

Jennifer gave an update on the activities of the CRO since the last meeting.  Activities undertaken include:

  • Continuation of station walks with Ramblers Cymru,
  • Milford Haven Working Together (MHWT participatory budget),
  • Llanelli Community Garden,
  • Haverfordwest Vision meeting
  • Groundwork for the forthcoming Welcome initiative.

The Ramble and Scramble characters were introduced.  These illustrations were commissioned by Ramblers Cymru and created by an illustrator, Arry Caine.  

  • It was proposed that Ramble and Scramble be further utilised in the pilot project around the 4 Llanelli stations – Llanelli, Bynea, Llangennith and Pembrey and Burry Port. 
  • The pilot will see the creation of four short (0.5 to 2 miles max) fully accessible walks, linked to history/heritage/nature around the towns and villages.
  • Feedback from the group towards Ramble and Scramble was positive.  Possible ideas for the future include the launch of a ‘Family package’ with resources linked to the Ramble and Scramble characters.  Also competitions based around the characters to enable further community engagement.
  • Linking the characters with the ‘Children go free‘ initiative will help encourage participation.

The Welcome Banner project discussed in previous steering group meetings were addressed. Ideas arising:

  • It was felt that banners would be a good visual way to introduce SWWCo to various communities  
  • Linking of a QR code link with the banner was discussed
  • It was also felt that signage should be robust
  • Any signage should include links to Traveline Cymru for onward travel information
  • Possibility of linking with primary schools for a poster design/competition – winning design to be used on the posters.  
  • The group felt that the format/layout for each of these banners should be standard but differentiated for each region
  • Establish County colours could be utilised for each banner so that each County retains its own identity within the Region

Vision Meetings

  • Haverfordwest Vision meeting was discussed and an update given to the group
  • Geraint and Jennifer have had a subsequent meeting with representatives from Haverfordwest Town Council regarding station adoption.
  • Geraint stated: “The proposal is not for Haverfordwest Town Council to adopt the station but to help form a ‘Friends of Haverfordwest railway station’ group, of which the Council may be part of.  They are going to discuss it at their next meeting. We are going to be speaking with Norman Industries to see if we can work with them to provide wooden planters that would be maintained by the new group.  If they can, we would seek to provide the same planters at Milford if a similar ‘Friends of ……’ group can be formed”
  • Llanelli will be the next station to have a Shared Vision Meeting. 

MEMBER UPDATES

  • Steve from Pembrokeshire College offered services of Denys (Senior Lecturer in Creative Media) to assist with the making of an exemplar film clip as part of the ‘Welcome’ initiative
  • Stuart Thomas – NRW joined the meeting to update the group on Llangennech Station (on the Heart of Wales line). 
  • The contractors began work on site this week and will remain for 12 weeks, they will excavate 12,000 cubic metres of contaminated land and take it to Merthyr.

NEXT STEPS

  • Jennifer to contact Denys and/or Steve at Pembrokeshire College regarding assistance for Welcome films
  • Jennifer and Zoe to arrange a meeting with Lee Lawrence-Hodges, TfW Station Manager regarding Welcome banners.
  • Undertake a survey of each station to determine where each welcome banner could be erected.
  • Dawn to mock up some banners to get an agreement from the group.
  • Jennifer to contact primary schools in the Spring term 
  • Jennifer to re-establish contact with local Youth Club Leader Hannah White and rearrange station walk through ASAP.

ATTENDEES

  • Dawn Lyle, Zoe Antrobus, Evie Redford – 4theRegion
  • Jennifer – South West Wales Connected CRP
  • Hugh Evans, Geraint Morgan, Arron Bevan-John – Transport for Wales
  • Laura Webley – Neath Port Talbot Tourism
  • Jeremy Martineau – Fishguard & Goodwick Chamber of Trade & Tourism
  • Rhiannon-Jane Raftery – Wales & Borders, Community Rail Network
  • Gwyn Smith – Sustrans
  • Emma Morris, Nicole Black – Great Western Railway
  • William Mansfield, Stuart Thomas – Natural Resources Wales
  • Peter Absolon – Pembrokeshire Rail Travelers Association  
  • Iwan Thomas – PLANED
  • Gitti Coates– Haverhub
  • Carl Gough – Social Business Wales
  • Rhian Cosslett – Traveline Cymru
  • Sarah Owen – Carmarthenshire County Council 
  • Jayne Cornelius – Sustainable Transport Officer, Swansea University 
  • Amanda Phillips – Neath Port Talbot Council 
  • Liz Williams – Pembrokeshire Tourism
  • Tony Burnett – CEIC Wales
South West Wales CRP – October Core Group Meeting

South West Wales CRP – October Core Group Meeting

by | Oct 30, 2020 | Community Rail Partnership

SOUTH WEST WALES CRP

CORE STEERING GROUP – 28/10/2020

If you would like to be part of the temporary steering group, or if you have feedback or input you would like to contribute, please email Jennifer@SouthWestWales.co

Here follows a report of the virtual meeting of the core steering group on the 28th October 2020.  You can find a write up of notes from the steering group meeting below.

UPDATE ON SOUTH WEST WALES CONNECTED

  • Terms of Reference have been amended since our last meeting, and submitted as part of our successful application for membership of the Community Rail Network – the directors of which have complimented the quality of our documents.
  • GWR have provided formal support for the CRP

Marketing & Comms

  • Jennifer shared social media stats for the CRP. The stats show a steady increase on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
  • LinkedIn showed slow growth in comparison.
  • Members of the group involved with other CRPs have reported a similar trend across their social media platforms.
  • Blogs have been a great and an informative asset to potential visitors. 
  • Produce Google analytics for the website for future meetings.
  • Hugh stated that nationalisation of the railway should have no negative effect on CRPs. 
  • Transport for Wales’ current public message is essential travel only.
  • Great Western Rail is currently in emergency measures and not permitted to market destinations
  • GWR doesn’t currently have a message against travel, instead a ‘safer travel pledge’ – Travel with Confidence
  • When the time is right, there will likely be more content being shared by rail orgs on social media.

Community and Partnership Projects

  • Branding and visibility of the community rail partnership was discussed.
  • Geraint stated that the Heart of Wales logos were introduced by the CRP a few years ago in partnership with the local highway authorities.
  • To introduce the SW Wales CRP logo onto station signage will require a conversation with the branding team at TFW.
  • Rhiannon stated that more CRPs have noticeboards with local info at stations than have their logo displayed – this might be an option to explore and was raised at the Haverfordwest vision meeting.

Biodiversity & Community Gardens

  • William has expressed Natural Resources Wales getting involved. 
  • Pembrokeshire County Council (owners of the Fishguard and Goodwick station concourse) are hoping to expand the car park and to include a greening area as part of that and to have a Welcome notice on concourse exit.
  • There is a lot of spare land along the platform at Pembroke Dock.  Planters were introduced past the canopy a few years ago.
  • Geraint shared a photograph of land at Pembroke Dock that could work as a wildflower meadow and other landscaping. Referring to behind the platform on the left hand side
  • There is an opportunity at Carmarthen on Platform 2 for a group to look after the station garden.

Swansea:

  • Contracted Owen Griffiths for community engagement. 
  • Could Swansea council could extend their wildflower growing to the station?
  • Geraint stated that wildflower meadows could possibly work away from the lineside where conditions are appropriate.  It probably wouldn’t work lineside due to access issues and vegetation management. 
  • The above has been trialled in the past at Knighton on the embankment behind the platform and at Dinas Powys near Cardiff.

Welcome Project

  • Jennifer introduced the ‘Welcome’ initiative – a specific project to utilise the financial contribution given by GWR:
  • Part i) aimed at engaging with the community at school level.  Schools will be invited to produce a “Welcome” to their town or village in the form of a film, song, rap, poem or storyboard winning entry to be posted on our website and promoted on social media. 
  • Part ii) In association with The Heart of Wales Line and Ramblers Cymru a pilot project to produce mapped walking routes that suit young families, limited mobility or anyone looking to improve their health by walking short distances (0.5 -2 miles – max) also produce an interactive child friendly map focused on 4 stations – Llanelli, Bynea, Llangennech, Pembrey and Burry Port 

MEMBER UPDATES

  • Iwan stated that PLANED has funding for digitalised walks, the team is currently in the process of updating them. Iwan will be happy to share the walks and the template with us when they’re done. 
  • Following from the Haverfordwest Shared Vision Meeting, PLANED is currently in discussion with TfW regarding the building on platform 2, possibly for a digital space tied in with wider connectivity to town.  Building survey awaiting. 
  • Report produced by PLANED in partnership with Haverfordwest Town Council last year can provide additional context on what the residents and businesses of the town are looking for – also keen focus on young people.
  • Ceri provided an update regarding Milford Haven station:
  • Local transport fund received from Welsh Gov for improved transport interchange through the county. Funding will complete a Weltag 1 & 2 stage.
  • Commissioned Atkins to lead on a study. Meeting on 14th Oct with principal stakeholders (TfW, NR, Stephen Crabb MP) to gather views on work that was done in 2014.
  • Ceri will welcome the CRP’s help in liaising processes with local stakeholders & community groups so their views can be fed into the development of the station.

NEXT STEPS

  • Set up a working group to co-create content and management of the website.
  • Core group voted unanimously to regroup in the new year.
  • Jennifer to liase with Iwan and connect him with her contact at Ramblers Cymru, Oliver.
  • Gitti to be in contact with Sam Evans and Iwan, Walkability for local walks, particularly Haverfordwest to Hook. 

ATTENDEES

  • Dawn Lyle, Zoe Antrobus, Evie Redford – 4theRegion
  • Jennifer – South West Wales Connected CRP
  • John Davies – BayTrans
  • Philip McDonnell – Low Carbon Swansea Bay & Swansea Environmental Forum
  • Emma Morris – Great Western Railway
  • William Mansfield – Natural Resources Wales
  • Claire H – Network Rail
  • Ceri Rees – Pembrokeshire County Council. 
  • Geraint Morgan, Hugh Evans – Transport for Wales
  • Ellie Jerman – Traveline Cymru
  • Rhiannon-Jane Raftery – Wales & Borders, Community Rail Network
  • Jeremy Martineau, Luigi Bonacina – Fishguard & Goodwick Chamber of Trade & Tourism
  • Gitti Coats – Haverhub
  • Iwan Thomas – PLANED
Haverfordwest Shared Vision Meeting

Haverfordwest Shared Vision Meeting

by | Oct 25, 2020 | Community Rail Partnership

HAVERFORDWEST TRAIN STATION SHARED VISION MEETING

This meeting was organised by South West Wales Connected, the new community rail partnership hosted by 4theRegion & Transport for Wales. Our role is then to support, facilitate and and help to take forward the ideas that emerge from these conversations, so that things start happening on the ground. 

EVENT OVERVIEW

Taking place on the 8th October 2020, this Haverfordwest Shared Vision meeting was attended by key stakeholders and residents from the Haverfordwest community to co-create a vision for the town and its railway station.

Ideas included the potential for better accessibility to public transport and improved signposting from the station to the shops. Other suggestions included adapting disused space for community projects and ‘greening’ the area while creating niche activities connected with this. Throughout the meeting, key figures in the community shared planned developments for Haverfordwest:

Rachel Moxey | Head of Economic Development and Regeneration, Pembrokeshire County Council

  • The Riverside Library, Gallery and Information Centre has increased footfall in the town to 30,000 people.
  • Western Quayside Enhancement will include the redevelopment of the space into a food emporium at an estimated cost of £6.5m. Work is expected to begin in December.
  • Redevelopment of Haverfordwest Castle is also on the cards. Funding is in place for development work, and an outdoor arena in the castle space is envisioned.
  • Small grants to improve Castle Square on a practical level, by adding better lighting and electricity.

Wyndham Williams | Community Development Manager, Haverfordwest County Football Club

  • The club has run many community engagement projects in the town, supporting people with mental and physical health conditions.

Stella Hooper | Haverfordwest Town Council

  • Highlighted further plans to improve the town, including an exhibition focused on the town’s heritage.
  • Redevelopment of a former rubbish dump into a wildlife meadow.

Gitti Coats | Haverhub

  • Haverhub is a community centre and social enterprise focused on rekindling the town.
  • Currently growing its volunteer team, and is keen to establish a dialogue with other projects in the area.

SHARED VISIONS

  • More youth involvement. 
  • Making the station feel safe. The road can feel frightening in the dark. 
  • Walkability and well-being walks. Start a well-being walk in line with the train arrival times.
  • Destination markets, connectivity. 
  • Promoting nightlife within Haverfordwest
  • A link along the South Wales corridor. The first point where people can find out what’s going on. Community activity board. There’s no information for what’s beyond. 
  • Charge points, bike/scooter. Tourist info. 
  • Digital screen promoting local initiative. 
  • Murals, artwork. 
  • Pedestrianisation. 
  • Station could link with local businesses and social enterprises to incorporate follow on activity bookings in to their ticket prices
  • Destination and route to the town – signs, screens, pedestrianisations
  • Destination: flowers, food wildlife, food production goodsheds, culture.
  • Innovation and identity, move from black energy fossil based oil, coal to blue and green from sun, water, wind and maybe hydrogen train as a feature.
  • Solar power charging points, electrical cars and bikes (ami vehicles), bike locks.
  • Must have phone and wifi reception or will go nowhere.

ACTIONS ARISING

 

  • Big site behind the station. Are there plans for facilities? 
  • Along the river is underutilised. 
  • HVW Ticket machine stops working from 3pm. 
  • Concerns for accessibility.
  • Focus on first impressions

COMMUNITY ACTION

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[/et_pb_dfbm_blog]

PARTICIPANTS

  • 4theRegion
  • South West Wales Connected CRP
  • Pembrokeshire County Council
  • Transport for Wales
  • Haverfordwest County AFC
  • Haverhub
  • PACTO
  • Llangwm Cricket
  • National Park Engagement Officer
  • PAVS
  • Access2Funding
  • Span Arts
  • Community Rail Network
  • Rhwydwaith Resilience
  • Transition Bro Gauwn
  • Riverside Shopping
  • Haverfordwest Town Council
  • Cleddau Cafe, Haverfordwest Train Station
  • Haverfordwest Residents

CONTACT

With all the interaction and energy there was simply too much to cover in a single meeting, so we will regroup again to discuss next steps for taking things forward. 

Please get in touch if you would like to be included as our Haverfordwest projects emerge and move forward – everyone is welcome and everyone has a valuable contribution to make.  Please email zoe@4theregion.com and jennifer@southwestwales.co for more details.