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across Bedfordshire and Luton

The Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership

A banner with several embedded imagesCommunity Rail Partnerships (CRPs) act as a bridge between local communities and the railway industry to produce a better train service for the community. Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership is one of a growing number of Community Rail Partnerships across the country.

Who is involved with the Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership?

The Marston Vale line was designated as a Community Rail Service in November 2006 and brings together a number of organisations working in partnership.

The partnership is led by Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity together with Silverlink, Bedford County Council, Milton Keynes Council, Bedford Borough Council, Mid Bedfordshire District Council, the Bedford to Bletchley Railway Users Association, Network Rail, the Forest of Marston Vale and the Bedfordshire Association of Town and Parish Councils.

What is the aim of the Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership?

The aims of the Community Rail Partnership are:
The partnership will do this in a number of ways such as looking at the wider transport links to and from the railway, organising a variety of events such as a Community fun day in the summer, and themed special trains and guided walks events.

A train, Photograph G. Hughes The Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership Officer will also be closely involved with local regeneration initiatives and will work alongside local communities. Residents along the line will be encouraged to be the eyes and ears of their local station, reporting any vandalism to ensure it is promptly dealt with, while at the same time putting forward suggestions for enhancing all aspects of the service.

The Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership is a means of providing better transport facilities for local communities and a way of involving local people with their railway.

From Bedford to Bletchley: the Marston Vale Line

The Marston Vale Line offers an opportunity to view some wonderful countryside at your leisure and there is plenty of history along the way. Travelling along the line you will see where John Bunyan gazed down on the men, women and children in the brickfields which inspired a number of his works. Walk between stations and grab a pub lunch before returning to the train to take in the rest the varied line has to offer.

A station, Photograph R. CraneIn Bedford take a walk along the Great River Ouse or discover its wide range of shops. In the heart of Bedford there is the John Bunyan Museum, Cecil Higgins Museum and Art Gallery and fantastic markets most days of the week.

Just off the line there is the Forest of Marston Vale where there are 5 miles of traffic free cycle paths and walks for all in the spectacular Millennium Country Park. The Forest Centre, a pleasant 20 minute walk from Stewartby and Millbrook stations, has a superb shop and restaurant. Cycles can also be hired from here to discover the attractions of the Forest (visit their website for more information). Nearby there is the Greensand Ridge Walk: Bedfordshires premier long distance route split into five sections for easier walking.

Bletchley at the other end of the Marston Vale line is a real enigma! But with Bletchley Park on the doorstep of the station you will easily break the code (visit their website for more infromation). Also in Bletchley there are many shops and markets.

A canal boat, Photograph R. CraneThe new town of Milton Keynes is only a short hop by train where there is a wealth of shops and attractions including some impressive urban park lands, interesting architecture and sculptures all easily accessed by one of the best cycle routes in the country.

At Bletchley you can also connect with trains linking to London and the North. Visit the Marston Vale line for a superb rail visit.

How can you be involved?

Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership

Find out about train times, days out, buy tickets and lots more for the Marston Vale Line.

Further information or to get involved contact: Stephen Sleight, Transport Officer, Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity, The Old School, Cardington, Bedford, MK44 3SX. 01234 832645


Bedford to Bletchley Rail Users Association

Bedford and Bletchly Rail Users Association Logo

For more information or to become a member visit their Website or send an SAE to Richard Crane, 23 Hatfield Cres, Bedford, MK41 9RA.

 

London Midland train Services - RMT Strike Action; Update 13 March 2009 9.00am

During the RMT strike action between: 00.01 hours and 29.59 hours on Friday 13 March and on Monday 16 March, London Midland plans to operate the following:

Trains will not operate on the Marston Vale Line, and buses will replace the "school train" services only. Passengers are advised to check their services before travelling, timetables will be available on line at www.londonmidland.com

Further information or to get involved contact: Stephen Sleight, Transport Officer, Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity, The Old School, Cardington, Bedford, MK44 3SX. 01234 832645

 

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