Author Archives: Suzie McCheyne

We’re proud to share Rail 74’s latest Annual Impact Review – a snapshot of the positive change we’ve created together over the past year. From community events and local partnerships to volunteer stories and environmental impact, the review highlights how we’ve connected people and places along the Rutherglen to Motherwell line. Thank you to everyone who’s been part of the journey

🌿 Case Study: Nature at Newton – Rail 74 Community Rail Partnership 📍 Location: Newton Station, South Lanarkshire 🛤️ Led by: Rail 74 Community Rail Partnership (CRP) 🤝 Partners: Friends of Newton Station Group, ScotRail, Herbal Homestead, local volunteers, and community groups 🎯 Focus Areas: Biodiversity, community engagement, health and wellbeing, place-making 🌱 Project Overview Nature at Newton is a growing community initiative led by Rail 74 CRP to revitalise the greenspace surrounding Newton Railway Station. This multi-stranded project brings together local people, organisations, and volunteers to turn…

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Date: 2025-02-28Attendees: Suzie McCheyne- Development Officer, Diane Whateley- Secretary, Aiden Watt-volunteer, John Wilson- Scotrail, Nigel Wunsch- deputy chair, Alex Bray- Cross Country, Fraser Hamilton, Jim Bolton- Healthy and Happy, Andy Crosbie National Autistic society, John Miller- Scotrail Holdings.Apologies: Victoria Moore- Chair; Rose hewitt Newton Station adopters; Arlene Dickson. Samaritans Updates JW — Dates to be aware of: 22/3/2025 CRP networking meeting through Scotrail 25/4/2025 JW retiring JB — Ticket office hours being cut at Rutherglen and Cambuslang, but JW explained that staff would still be available to help,…

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In 2024 our Community Rail Partnership decided to look to support young people and safety in and around our trainlines. We have been working with Learn Live to reach our young ones through schools and since Jan 2025 our project has reached 14 schools and we have managed to educate a total of 5,362 young people.  Since 2019, Learn Live have reached over 19 million young people in 11,500 schools across the UK in partnership with the Trespass Improvement Team at Network Rail. Learn Live delivers rail safety via live…

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We are delighted to host session and receive funding from Cross Country Trains to provide interactive and inclusive sessions at newton station in 2025. Our Friends at Newton Station have a facebook page to get information from throughout the year https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563396324475

The Rail 74 CRP meeting covered key updates, including the need for a new treasurer and the success of the rail safety live learning programme, which has reached over 5,000 schoolchildren. Discussions included potential funding for local projects, support from ScotRail’s media team, and updates to the Rutherglen Station mural. Community events, such as Newton’s successful carol singing and upcoming workshops, were highlighted, along with the Samaritans’ Brew Monday and suicide prevention initiatives. CrossCountry reaffirmed funding commitments, while ScotRail shared progress on ticketless travel and the Rail 200 campaign. Plans for further collaboration and outreach continue.

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The Rail 74 CRP meeting covered several key updates, including long-overdue repairs to Rutherglen Station and potential improvements at Newton, with efforts to involve local schools and community groups. Funding has been secured for additional planting at Newton’s community garden, while discussions continue on land ownership responsibilities. An accessible days-out interactive map is in development in partnership with the National Autistic Society, and the Social Bite homeless village in Rutherglen may offer opportunities for CRP involvement. The travelling classrooms initiative has been successfully completed, and planning is underway for further accessibility and climate change projects. Rail safety education will expand to 8–10 schools, and there are concerns about the lack of awareness regarding discounted travel for young people. The next meeting is scheduled for November 28th.

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Date: 2024-09-04 10.30amAttendees: Victoria Moore – Chair, Suzie McCheyne- Development Officer, , Cambuslang Rotary, Jim Bolton- Rutherglen CC, Fraser Hamilton, Arlene Dickson- Samaritans, Alex Bray-Cross Country Trains, Aiden Watt – volunteer, Wullie Clark – Scottish Rail Holdings, James Ledgerwood – Scotrail, Diane & Kieran Wyse – Scottish Autistic Consultants.Apologies: Diane Whateley- Secretary, Nigel Wunsch-Deputy Chair, Lynn Keirs Treasurer, David Weir & Andy Crosbie NAS South Lanarkshire, Update on Development Day Suggestions Members updates James Ledgerwood — Scotrail Update on active travel theme projects from ScotRail, Recent partnership with…

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The Rail Safety Project aims to enhance rail safety awareness across schools in Lanarkshire through a strategic partnership with Community Rail Partnership (CRP) members and the Learn Live team. This initiative is designed to educate students, parents, and teachers on the importance of rail safety, ultimately fostering a safer community and building future relationships with young rail users. Project Overview The project will engage 20 schools in Lanarkshire, comprising an equal mix of 10 primary and 10 secondary schools, to ensure a comprehensive reach across different age demographics.…

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The ‘Hope in Hamilton’ project has been a collaborative effort designed to unite individuals supported with their mental health and wellbeing, empowering them to create an interactive art piece for Hamilton station. Through this endeavour, voices of hope will echo throughout the station, offering solace and encouragement to those facing personal struggles.

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