The Settle-Carlisle Railway Development Company was formed in 1992 as a limited by guarantee, not for profit partnership to encourage sustainable commercial development. Senior figures in the region formed the company to provide a powerful network to stimulate appropriate development involving all the local authorities and public sector bodies in the region surrounding the railway.
The Company has moved from strength to strength and now handles the promotion of both the Settle-Carlisle line and the route between Leeds, Lancaster and Morecambe. The Company maintains strong links with Local Authorities, the Train Operating Company, the two Tourist Boards and the Friends of the Settle-Carlisle line. Projects include the production of the full colour lineguide/timetable twice a year, the operation of the Dales railcard scheme. A mini credit card size timetable is also being produced.
A wide range of projects have been undertaken including the sourcing of funding major infrastructure projects along the line such as new waiting shelters, a new footbridge at Kirkby Stephen and heritage lighting at stations along the line. During 2007, a project to improve facilities at Settle and Appleby Stations was completed; this provided loft insulation for the station buildings and bio-mass stoves in the waiting areas and booking offices.
One innovative area to be tackled by the Company was the expansion of ticket sales at Settle and Appleby stations. The Development Company now handles the retail management. Appleby Station administers group travel bookings for the line. Staff are able to provide a wealth of local knowledge to group travel organisers to assist them in planning a great day out. Customer satisfaction continues to bring more groups to the area, which represents a major part of the revenue for the route and local villages and towns as well as Carlisle and Leeds.
A more recent initiative by the Development Company has been the introduction of a refreshment trolley service on many of the services on the line. This facility is enhancing the travel experience for passengers whilst travelling on the line.
The partnerships managed by the Development Company ensure that groups work together to enable a cohesive management of all issues and successful delivery of objectives for both routes. Much of the work undertaken by the Development Company is used as a blueprint for other Railway Partnerships throughout the country.
