The Abbey Line Community Rail Partnership was officially launched on Wednesday June 15th 2005. Please do take a moment to explore the CRP website by clicking on the logo above. The site is similar in many respects to this one, but contains much more specific information about the CRP.

In November 2004 the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) published its Community Rail Development strategy (click on this link to download a copy).

The main objectives of the 'Community Rail' concept are:

1. To increase passenger volume and income
2. To manage down the cost of running the line now and in the future, without compromising safety or service
3. To involve the local community more closely in the development of its railway

As part of the SRA's strategy, the Abbey Line has been selected to become one of the UK's first official 'Community Railways'. Six routes across the UK have been experimentally designated as such, with each of these 'Pilot Projects' being carefully chosen in order to test different aspects of the Community Rail concept. The Abbey Line pilot project is unique among the six in that it is the only example of an overhead electrified, suburban branch line railway.

Integral to the designation of the line as a 'Community Railway' has been the inauguration of a 'Community Rail Partnership' (CRP), set up by Herts County Council. To those who are unfamiliar, CRPs are not a new concept. There have been CRPs organised by supporters of various lines up and down the country for many years, and in every single case, there has been measurable success in achieving the objectives outlined above. For example, passenger numbers on the Norwich - Sheringham route have increased by 197% since the 'Bittern Line' partnership was set up in 1997.