What is The Riviera Project?

The Riviera Project is a framework for the regeneration of Cornwall’s railway stations, together with improved public transport interchanges.  The Riviera Project’s aims are to:-

• Improve passenger confidence by establishing better serviced, more accessible and attractive stations and interchanges;
• Reduce pollution and road congestion by transfer from road to rail travel;
• Provide the infrastructure to encourage more sustainable travel, promoting improved bus, cycle and footpath links to visitor attractions;
• Assist the local economy; and
• Further the aims of the Cornwall Local Transport Plan.
   

Background

The County Council has co-ordinated the Cornwall Rail Forum (CRF) since 1996.  The CRF includes representatives from Network Rail, Rail Passenger Committee (RPC), Train Operating Companies (TOC’s), local bus operators and five of the district councils.  The partnership was formed with a vision to promote public transport and provide added value to industry investment.  The Riviera Project was commissioned as a major study by the forum with a brief to formulate a framework for the regeneration of Cornwall’s railway stations. The study provided a snapshot record of each station with recommendations for future improvements. The project is being continuously reviewed and updated, particularly as various stages of work have been completed.

Assessing the Need

In order to gain a good appreciation of what would be needed to upgrade the County’s rail stations a survey was commissioned. The survey, compiled in 1997, forms the basis of a regeneration programme.  Each station in Cornwall was assessed, using a standard set of criteria to identify the elements needed to upgrade the stations. This criteria included:

• Station access (including disabled access)
• Road safety
• Signing (on and off site)
• Car parking
• Fencing and gate entrances
• Platform surfaces
• Shelters
• Station furniture
• Lighting
• Landscaping
• Station buildings
• Links from the station to visitor attractions
• Potential for interchange

A major consultation exercise was conducted with transport operators, rail user groups, local authorities and other interested parties. The consultations for the larger schemes and individual stations were undertaken by additional ‘on station user surveys’, engaging the general public directly and inviting them to put forward their comments.

Funding Process

The Riviera Project study funded by Cornwall County Council, Network Rail PLC, Penwith District Council, Restormel Borough Council, Single Regeneration Budget (Challenge Fund) and the European Regional Development Fund. Help in kind support was provided by Network Rail PLC, Wales and West Railway and the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership.

The process for acquiring funds for projects arising from the studies is complex and involves many partners. The Cornwall Rail Forum leads the process.  The funds for individual schemes are sought from a number of sources with the aim of maximising the amount available.  For the larger projects, a specific project partnership group is formed, which steers the process.  The funding sources vary, but often include some of or all of the following: local authorities, Network Rail, Train Operating Companies, Strategic Rail Authority (SRA), European and government sources, Regional Development Agency (RDA), Countryside Agency and other individual organisations.  Liskeard station is an example of this complex process where European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and RPP bids have contributed. 

In Cornwall, RPP bids have been successfully sought for the following station projects: Tamar Valley, Penzance Public Transport Interchange, Redruth, Liskeard, Saltash and additional rail services on the Falmouth, Tamar Valley and Looe Branch Lines. It is regrettable that the SRA has frozen its RPP fund for the time being as this was an important source of project funding.

The Problems

The Riviera project is a partnership with many parties and as such is faced with the challenges to meet the needs of all involved. The two main areas of difficulty relate to slow progress due to regulatory requirements of the rail industry and problems surrounding applications for external funding.  However, despite this, our experience shows that worthwhile progress has been made.

Jobs Done!  - Roundup of Riviera Project Work –

As well as delivering some of the more routine projects, two major public transport interchange schemes have been completed in the past year.

Penzance Public Transport Interchange

Penzance station provides important links between bus, rail, taxis, cars, pedestrians, cyclists and air and sea connections. 

The recently completed scheme includes:

• Improved pedestrian areas, fencing and crossings
• Additional lighting
• Remodelling of the bus station
• Provision for cycles, motorcycles, and disabled drivers
• General upgrade and balancing of space for all users
• Signage and information
• Redesign of car parking and entrances for improved safety
• Enhanced CCTV coverage for personal safety and security
• Enhanced planting schemes
• Elements of public art resulting in a high quality and pleasing layout
• Upgrading and refurbishment of the station toilets

The scheme was managed by Penwith District Council and is one of the first transport schemes in the County to include public art.

Bodmin Parkway Station Improvements

Work on the Bodmin Parkway interchange improvement was completed early in 2003. The project has attracted much national interest and was short listed in the ‘National Transport Integration Awards’ and ‘National Rail Awards – Small Station of the Year’  competitions.

The project included:

• Improved traffic management and safety measures
• Upgraded and resurfaced access road
• New car park, lighting and drainage
• CCTV for improved protection and security
• Improved disabled access and facilities
• New toilets
• Information and signing improvements
• Landscaping
• New benches and seating
• Platform and fencing renewal
• Facilities for cyclists and motorcyclists
• New shelter and information for bus users
• Upgrade of the ticket office

This work has radically improved the station which previously had a muddy, potholed car park which regularly suffered from crime.  The customer facilities were also below par.  

The project complements the bus infrastructure improvements which have been made along the Bodmin Parkway to Wadebridge/Padstow route.  The ‘Corlink’ service has new branded buses, real-time information boards and links to demand-responsive services.

What’s Next?

St Austell Public Transport Interchange

A project team is now in place to take this next major project forward.  The design concepts have been agreed in principal and funding arrangements are actively being sought with an anticipated scheme delivery in early 2006.  Scheme contents include:

• Removal of existing bus depot to open out views over the town
• New bus station layout, including a stop for ‘Eden’
• Revised station car parking
• Improved pedestrian facilities
• New Ticket Offices for bus & rail
• New café & toilets
• CCTV
• New waiting rooms
• Better Information
• Improved facilities for the disabled including new passenger lift & bridge crossing

Falmouth Town – For the National Maritime Museum for Cornwall

The Maritime Museum has now opened and is attracting a considerable number of visitors, many of them by rail. The proposal is to ‘brand’ the station to provide a welcome for rail travellers. Proposals include:

• Upgraded lighting
• Information & signing
• Improved platform surface
• New seating
• Themed fencing

For more information on these projects and other Riviera improvements, you can view the Riviera Newsletter by clicking here. 

The Successes

The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport Keith Hill congratulated Cornwall on its pioneering work in developing public transport in rural areas, when he visited the county to officially launch the new Centre of Excellence for Integrated Rural Transport initiative.

Cornwall became the first county to be selected as a Centre of Excellence for integrated rural transport in March 2001 after demonstrating its ability to address issues of rural travel in an innovative way.

The new Centre of Excellence document gives details of the achievements made so far, including the innovative Redruth to Helston branch line project, and the Riviera project, which paved the way for planned refurbishment of railway stations in the county. It also sets out the programme for the next five years and beyond, and includes a strategy for the development of new community transport and public transport initiatives.

“Cornwall is leading the way in developing new rural transport initiatives, and we are very pleased that Keith Hill has agreed to launch our Centre of Excellence document” said Robert Hichens, the Executive Member for Transport and Planning Strategy. “We have already introduced many innovative transport initiatives and will be working closely with local community partners in order to address the main aims of improving integration, combating social exclusion, promoting sustainable tourism, aiding access, and improving safety and personal security”.

For further information please contact bmitcham@cornwall.gov.uk

Last revised - 21st July 2004