THE TYNE VALLEY COMMUNITY RAIL PARTNERSHIP
The Tyne Valley Community Rail Partnership (TVCRP) was founded in 2004 and is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee.
We work in close partnership with train operating companies including:
- Northern who operate services on the Tyne Valley route
- CrossCountry and LNER, who operate services on the East Coast mainline
- TransPennine Express and Avanti West Coast, who operate services on the West Coast mainline
We also work with Network Rail and their input and assistance with many projects is vital to their success. Haltwhistle Station buildings project and Heritage Open Days are examples of the diversity of our work with Network Rail.
We were the first community rail partnership in Northern’s franchise area to be awarded accreditation by the Department of Transport in 2019. Successful re-accreditation has been awarded following annual reviews of our work, policies and processes by the DfT and Community Rail Network, to ensure that we fulfill the role set out by the DFT and that we are:
- Providing a voice for the community;
- Promoting sustainable and healthy travel;
- Bringing communities together, and supporting diversity and inclusion;
- Supporting social and economic development.
Our Partnership Board and advisory group benefits from representation from Transport North East, Hadrian’s Wall Partnership, Northumberland County Council, Cumberland Council and Tyne Valley Rail Users Group as well as train operating companies, Northern Trains, CrossCountry, TransPennine Express, LNER and Avanti West Coast
We also have regular contact with local Parish Councils and Councillors, links with local businesses, tourism organisations and other public transport providers. Please contact the Company Secretary if you are interested in being involved.
THE WORK WE DO
Each year we review our strategies, creating a comprehensive action plan focussing on the DfT strategy taking into account feedback from our communities.
You can learn more about some of the ongoing and past projects throughout this site or by following us on our social media pages.
In 2024, we opened the Water Tower Cafe adjacent to Haltwhistle Railway Station, a new venture for the partnership.
DIRECTORS AND KEY EMPLOYEES
Directors of the Company are volunteers who contribute their experience, knowledge and time to making the Partnership and its projects a valuable asset to the area and the rail industry.
The TVCRP Officer is an employee of the Company, who undertakes a multi-functional role with the support of the Directors, volunteers and other rail industry personnel.
Current Directors are:
- Malcolm Chainey, Chair and Director
- Colin Moore, Legal and Corporate Governance Director
- Julie Gibbon, Projects Director and Company Secretary
- Anne Ridley, Marketing, Comms & Events Director
- Patrick Rice, Director and Chair of Tyne Valley Line Rail Users' Group
- Allan White, Infrastructure Director
- Peter Sloan, Finance Director
- Pete Myers, Director
- Clare Richardson, Inclusivity Director
- Philip Clark, Director Emeritus
Employees:
- Fiona Forsythe is employed as our Community Rail Partnership Officer and is instrumental in developing a wide range of projects.
- Julie Haywood is employed as the Manager of the Water Tower Cafe
We are members of:
Community Rail Network, the membership body representing community rail partnerships and station adoption groups throughout the country