The Hereward Community Rail Partnership, which supports the Peterborough to Ely Hereward Line and its stations at March, Manea and Whittlesea, kickstarted a year of 10^th anniversary celebrations when it held its ‘Herewards are go!’ event on Wednesday, 12 October.

With stations decked with bunting, and special anniversary biscuits baked in readiness, CRP representatives spent the morning at Peterborough and Ely stations, and on-board Greater Anglia train services, chatting with passengers about the line, the improvements it has seen over the past ten years, and the local area that can be explored by train.

Passengers also picked up CRP goodie bags and Hereward Line Guides and helped to colour in 10^th anniversary montages.

Over the past ten years, the CRP has played a pivotal role in promoting railway use along the line, improving station facilities and building community links. The partnership also works with station adopters to make the stations more attractive and with train operators to enhance train services.

Paul Nelson, Chairman of the Hereward CRP, said: “We are hugely proud and excited to be celebrating our 10^th birthday and would like to thank everyone who has worked together to make the line a success, including the dedicated station adopters who keep the stations looking bright and welcoming.

“The partnership has helped the line go from strength to strength, and I have no doubt that as the demand for travel increases in future, the CRP will continue to play a pivotal role.”

Cllr Chris Seaton, Portfolio Holder for Transport at Fenland District Council, which manages the Hereward CRP, added: “We’re incredibly pleased to be celebrating the 10^th anniversary of the Hereward Community Rail Partnership.

“The CRP has been an immense success, helping to secure funding for improvements to the stations, working closely with train operators to help promote and develop the line, strengthening local links and increasing passenger journeys over the last decade.

“With the prospect of even more improvements as part of the Council’s Railway Station Masterplans, there are great opportunities for the CRP to help the line continue to thrive, to the benefit of both customers and local communities.”