Stations: Engines of Communities Discussion Paper

01 April 2025

Summary

‘Stations: Engine of Communities’ aims to restart the debate around how we deliver better stations and to establish a consensus on changing the way that we currently plan and invest in stations.

The paper sets the context for a place-based approach to deliver better stations. It proposes private and public collaboration to look beyond one-off interventions plan long-term partnerships that supports the development of successful communities around stations. The scope of this paper primarily covers the station estate that will be inherited by Great British Railways, or devolved to Mayoral Combined Authorities, and deliberately focuses on small and medium-sized stations, due to particular challenges in securing investment. The lessons may be applicable more widely to other stations.

This initial report covers:

• The case for change and future vision for stations (Part 1);
• The investment opportunity, identifying a number of potential revenue sources and ways to lower whole-life costs (Part 2);
• What is needed to turn this into a commercially viable model, proposing a criteria that any model will need to meet (Part 3); and
• Next steps (Part 4).

Throughout, a number of case studies of station upgrades are provided, which provide useful insights. The annex features a literature review, which surveys relevant readings, and an overview of key funding models and streams used for railway infrastructure projects in the UK and internationally. You can read the Annex by clicking this link.

The ideas proposed in this paper are now being tested on a real portfolio of stations by consultancy Steer. This will test potential revenue and funding streams, identify the bridging role for private finance, and make practical suggestions for future delivery
models, before a proposed delivery model is published in Summer 2025.

RIA invites the views of interested stakeholders on the content of this paper to help establish a consensus on the best way forward. Discussion Questions can be found throughout the Paper, or at the bottom of this page. You can share your views by emailing RIA Policy Executive Dominic Poole at [email protected].

Download the paper

Discussion Questions

Part 1:

1. This section highlights several opportunities for targeted, effective and forward looking investment in stations. 
   a. For all: What are your key drivers and priorities for station investment?
   b. For Mayoral Combined Authorities: What current and future investment plans do you have for stations and their surrounding areas? 
2. How would you define or measure success in 5 years? 10 years? 25 years?

Part 2:

1. Which revenues streams are most promising to help fund station improvements?
2. What are the most effective ways to reduce construction costs and boost efficiency savings?

Part 3:

1. Do you agree with the concept of a portfolio approach? In particular, do you agree that a scalable and repeatable approach is needed to improve the station estate?
2. Do you have specific views on how a portfolio could be assembled?
3. What is the best approach to encourage private sector participation in the challenge of enhancing Britain’s stations? Which investment models are likely to be most successful in attracting private capital?
4. What role in station development do you see for organisations under the proposed rail reforms, e.g. Great British Railways, the Office of Rail and Road, Mayoral Combined Authorities and funders?

RIA invites the views of interested stakeholders on the content of this paper to help establish a consensus on the best way forward. You can share your views by emailing RIA Policy Executive Dominic Poole at [email protected].