Oxfordshire Community Rail Partnership

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Oxfordshire Community Rail Partnership

🚆 Connecting Communities by Rail
🌱 Promoting sustainable travel & car-free adventures
🛤️ Supporting local stations, tourism & accessibility

11/06/2026

Rail doesn’t just move people—it shapes access to opportunity, connection and everyday life.
Yesterday the team were in Banbury for the Social Value of Rail roundtable, bringing together partners from across public, private and community sectors.

The big question: what does rail actually deliver for people?

One thing was clear—social value isn’t just about infrastructure or investment. It’s about whether people can actually access, use and benefit from the system in their everyday lives. At OxCRP, we see this first-hand.

We work at a grassroots level to:
🔹 understand lived experience
🔹 build confidence
🔹 and address the barriers that stop people using rail
Particularly for those least likely to engage.

With OxRail 2040 setting the direction, the opportunity now is to turn this shared ambition into real impact—opening up access to work, education and everyday life. Because social value only matters when it leads to change. Great to be part of the conversation—now onto the action.

05/06/2026

Community Rail Week might be coming to an end, but creating welcoming and accessible journeys for everyone continues all year round 💙🚆

This year’s theme, , is all about helping more people feel confident using the railway and staying connected to their communities. That’s why we’re proud to share our local station access maps across Oxfordshire— making it easier to plan journeys, explore stations and discover local links nearby.

Look at our maps for:
📍 Charlbury
📍 Didcot
📍 Oxford

And more!

All our maps are available digitally on our website, or you can message us to request a paper copy 📩

Because community rail is for everyone — not just during Community Rail Week, but every day of the year.

Community Rail Network

03/06/2026

Today, we had the joy of supporting TreasureSeekers for a Travelling with Confidence trip—a fantastic example of how trains open doors to adventure, connection, and independence for everyone!
As part of Community Rail Week, we’re proud to champion the theme “Journeys for All” alongside our partners. Trains aren’t just a way to travel; they’re a gateway to confidence, community, and new experiences. Whether it’s navigating stations, planning routes, or simply enjoying the ride, we’re here to make every journey accessible, enjoyable, and full of possibilities.

A massive thank you to TreasureSeekers for being part of this empowering adventure! Together, we’re proving that everyone deserves the freedom to explore—and that trains make it possible.
Let’s keep creating journeys that inspire, connect, and empower! 💙🚂

Community Rail Network Treasure Seekers

25/05/2026

New episode alert 🎧

Bee Clark - Access and Inclusion Program Lead - and Alayne McDonald - Community Rail Development Manager - recently joined MIMA for the latest Re:Design podcast episode: “Who Are We Designing For? Rethinking Passenger Experience for Diverse Requirements”.

Through exploratory and provocative conversations, they examined how design thinking can improve travel experiences for everyone, particularly those who are often underrepresented in mainstream planning. Through examples from both local communities and wider transport systems, there was an open dialogue of shared ideas and practical approaches for creating journeys that are more inclusive, welcoming, and people-centred.

Bee and Alayne were delighted to be part of the conversation and are grateful to MIMA for the opportunity to contribute to this important discussion on accessibility, inclusion, and the future of passenger experience.

🎧 The episode is available on Re:Design Podcast, out on Spotify now!

Interested in learning more? You can download our best practice design guide for station-based Calm Spaces here: www.oxfordshirecommunityrail.org/research-reports

11/05/2026

2025 marks 200 years of the modern railway. A good reason to celebrate what trains make possible.

Oxford Station is now the starting point for three new walking routes, part of our Oxford Leisure Trail. From the canal to the meadows, each route connects you to a different side of Oxford, starting with a train journey.

Sustainable travel doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes it's a train ticket and a good map.

Download the Oxford Leisure Trail: https://www.oxfordshirecommunityrail.org/leisure-trails

29/04/2026

🌿Celebrating the success of our 2025/2026 Getaway Project

We successfully delivered our latest Getaway programme, funded by Oxfordshire County Council, which supported community groups in Banbury and Abingdon in accessing nature, building confidence, and exploring sustainable travel.

We partnered with local organisations to deliver six guided day trips to nature-based destinations, creating inclusive experiences focused on access to nature, travel confidence & independence, sustainable transport, health & wellbeing, and social connection.

What we achieved:
🚆 Increased travel confidence – Many participants used trains for the first time, learning to navigate stations, tickets, and multi-modal journeys independently.
🌳 Improved wellbeing – Time outdoors, from tree planting to animal encounters, helped reduce stress and boost mental health.
🤝 Stronger social bonds – Shared experiences created lasting friendships and reduced isolation.
🌟 Greater independence – Participants led navigation, building real-world confidence for future travel.
🌍 Culturally inclusive experiences – Activities were shaped with communities to ensure everyone felt represented and included.
🏘️ Stronger community partnerships – Deepened relationships with organisations across Banbury & Abingdon.

Feedback received:
💬 ‘Just wanted to say a huge thank you for the visit to the farm today. My twins had a great time. I wasn't sure how my girls would react to a farm visit since they're not big animal fans. However, they surprised me by thoroughly enjoying the experience! They came back full of stories about the farm.'
💬 As a Muslim woman, I've felt uneasy about train travel. However, I'm so glad my daughters finally had the chance to experience it. Despite my initial concerns, they thoroughly enjoyed the journey and learned a great deal about train travel. It was a valuable and memorable experience for them.’
💬 ‘The girls had an incredible experience, and it was fantastic to see their confidence grow throughout the day, particularly during the travel training element.’

27/04/2026

Arriving into Oxford by train? Your adventure starts on the platform.

The new Oxford Leisure Trail is a set of three walking routes that begin at Oxford Station and take you straight into the heart of the city and beyond. Each trail guides you through overlooked corners of the city, connecting green spaces, waterways, and hidden heritage – including the city’s rich railway history.

Choose from a relaxing walk along the canal, a wander through parks and city streets, or a longer stretch out across Oxford's famous meadows.

No car needed.

Download the Oxford Leisure Trail https://www.oxfordshirecommunityrail.org/leisure-trails

24/04/2026

Last week, Gloucestershire CRP and Oxfordshire CRP brought our team and Board together for our second annual Reflection Days.

It was a chance to step away from delivery and take stock of the past year, reflecting on what we’ve learned, reconnecting as a team, and spending time with our Board thinking about what comes next.

Across three days, we focused on who we are, the impact we’re having, and where we’re going. We had open and honest conversations about what’s working, what needs to change, and how we can build a more joined up, open and supportive way of working across the organisation.

A big part of the discussion was about keeping our strategy responsive, making sure it continues to reflect the transport needs of our local communities as contexts shift and change.

We also made space to connect properly: time in nature, conversations we don’t always get to have, and a bit of team building along the way.

We’re now looking forward to turning these shared priorities into action and continuing to work together to deliver impact for our communities.

👉 Read our full reflections from the three days on the blog: https://www.oxfordshirecommunityrail.org/post/our-annual-2026-reflection-day

22/04/2026

Oxfordshire's history is even richer than most people realise. The new Oxfordshire Black History Map shows you where to find it.

Created in partnership with Black Ark Media, the map connects you to historic and cultural points of interest across the county, all accessible from your nearest station. From abolitionists in Banbury to pioneering scholars in Oxford, there is more to discover than you might think.

Download the map for free and plan your journey: https://www.oxfordshirecommunityrail.org/leisure-trails

Thank you to GWR for making this work possible!

02/04/2026

Have you visited the All Aboard exhibition at Oxford Parkway yet?

Disabled and neurodiverse artists from Shadowlight Artists have created artwork exploring what it's really like to travel by public transport. The pieces are personal, moving and challenge you to think differently about access and independence.

The exhibition is free to view at Oxford Parkway Station.

If you're travelling through, take a few minutes to explore the work. It's worth stopping for.

Funded by CrossCountry trains through its Community Engagement Fund.

Address

Morroway House
Gloucester
GL11DW

Website

https://www.oxfordshirecommunityrail.org/

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