The UK’s community rail movement is helping people in the Netherlands to create a new national community rail organisation.

Chief executive of the UK’s Community Rail Network, Jools Townsend, joined members of Coöperatie Stationspark Deurne and other rail industry representatives at an event in Utrecht, to share best practice from the community rail movement in the UK.

Michel Lintermans established Coöperatie Stationspark Deurne in 2014 alongside Jos van Wegen of Coöperatie Coopnet and Vincent Jacobs of LSA, and has been at the forefront of promoting community rail in the Netherlands since then. Deurne Station is the hub of this community, hosting projects including a bicycle service point, community garden, artwork, book exchange and Fairtrade catering facility.

The team has secured funding from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. It is developing strong relationships with ProRail, rail contractor responsible for the Dutch rail network, and NS, the main Dutch railway operating company.

The team has contacted fifteen other groups which are also carrying out social initiatives at stations across the Netherlands. This highlights the growth of community rail activity in the country and will give momentum to the new national organisation.

Jools Townsend, chief executive at Community Rail Network, said: “The community rail movement strives to put stations and railways at the centre of community life, increase rail use and support modal shift towards greener, healthier, more inclusive travel.

“I was delighted to be invited to Utrecht to speak about the fantastic achievements of our community rail partnerships and station groups across Britain. It was an honour to be able to share community rail’s insights and exchange ideas with colleagues in the Netherlands, on empowering local communities and creating railways and stations that deliver maximum social, economic and environmental value.

“We are proud to support the growing community rail movement in the Netherlands and can’t wait to see it go from strength to strength, and to be able to learn from its experiences and innovations.”

Michel Lintermans of Coöperatie Stationspark Deurne said: “I’m very pleased we are able to share the good work of Coöperatie Stationspark Deurne across the Netherlands. I especially want to thank our partners and British colleagues at Community Rail Network for all the support we have had.”

Jos van Wegen of Coöperatie Coopnet said: “Our first networking meeting was a very valuable and inspiring step in the further development of a network of initiatives in and around community stations in the Netherlands. We are thrilled to continue this journey of supporting sustainable and liveable stations and environments.”