Stations across the country are preparing to compete for the title of ‘The UK’s best-loved station’ and to be declared as the winner of the World Cup of Stations 2023.

The competition is being held this week, 22nd to 26 May, which is Community Rail Week, and is designed to highlight the work of dedicated volunteers who support stations through the Community Rail Network. It is being hosted by the Rail Delivery Group and the Community Rail Network.

The competition will showcase the benefits that railways bring to residents, the environment and the local economy. In 2021, Stourbridge Junction in the West Midlands won the competition and was named Britain’s favourite station.

Of 100 nominations from across Great Britain, TV presenter and historian Tim Dunn chose 48 stations to compete for the title. People can vote this week for their favourite railway station in the World Cup of Stations 2023 via #WorldCupofStations or @RailDeliveryGrp on Twitter, or vote online at www.raildeliverygroup.com/WorldCupOfStations

There are five categories on which stations will be judged:

• Creating social spaces,?for stations that have been rejuvenated by local adoption groups by creating spaces for the local community;
• Supporting local business, where adoption groups use spaces in stations to host and celebrate local businesses;
• Education stations, in which adoption groups organise educational spaces and workshops in their station;
• Tourism stations, in which adoption groups promote local attractions through their station;
• Sustainable stations,?where local community groups have made environmental efforts to improve their station’s green credentials

From today, Monday, 22nd until Wednesday, 24th May, there will be 11 regional heats in which stations compete for a place in the semi-finals next Thursday, 25th May and the final next Friday, 26th May. The regional heats will be held on:

• Monday 22nd May – London, South East, South West, East
• Tuesday 23rd May – East Midlands, West Midlands, North East, Yorkshire & Humberside
• Wednesday 24th May – North West, Scotland, Wales, Tim Dunn’s bonus group

Jacqueline Starr, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group, said: “Day in, day out stations up and down the country are proving to be at the very heart of the communities they serve. During Community Rail Week, we want to shine a light on the very best stations in England, Scotland and Wales.

“All of the stations nominated are making a positive impact on their local community, whether that’s supporting local businesses, being used for a social space or making the local environment better by being more sustainable, whatever they’re doing to make a difference, we want to celebrate.”

Tim Dunn, TV presenter and shortlist judge, said: “I had the tricky task of selecting the shortlist of 48 stations – tricky, because it represents the work of 48 groups of chuffing ace volunteers.

“The time, energy and love each group gives is because of a love of our shared railway and their communities too. It might seem bonkers, but this competition showcases the hard work of hundreds countrywide, then amplifies and celebrates all in community rail. Remember: like a football World Cup, the winners each day need more and more support – in every battle, it’s the one with the most votes who wins!”

Jools Townsend, chief executive of Community Rail Network, said: “Community Rail partnerships and thousands of ‘station friends’ volunteers the length and breadth of Britain are mobilising en masse, engaging local people and partners to raise awareness about sustainable travel by rail, and get people enthused about its many benefits.”

The 48 stations nominated for the title are::

East:

• Lowestoft
• Southminster
• Beccles
• Thetford

East Midlands

• Sleaford
• Ambergate
• Kettering
• Market Rasen

London

• Tolworth
• Denmark Hill
• Highams Park
• Chingford

North East

• Manors
• MetroCentre (Gateshead)
• Haltwhistle
• Shildon

North West

• Runcorn
• Goostrey
• Birkdale
• Hindley

Scotland

• Kilmarnock
• Nairn
• Pitlochry
• North Queensferry

South East

• Swaythling
• Whyteleafe
• Bognor Regis
• Hollingbourne

South West

• Liskeard
• Yatton
• Okehampton
• Penmere

Wales

• North Llanrwst
• Llandudno
• Conwy
• Tal-y-Cafn

West Midlands

• Coventry
• Evesham
• Leamington Spa
• Wylde Green

Yorkshire

• Scarborough
• Bingley
• Mirfield
• Sowerby Bridge

Tim Dunn’s bonus round

• Bishopstone (Sussex)
• Lancaster
• Wemyss Bay
• Glenfinnan