Robin Hood Line Community Rail Partnership on track for further success

Robin Hood Line Community Partnership celebrates a 2026 to remember

It’s full steam ahead for a collaborative effort which aims to raise the profile of one Nottingamshire and Derbyshire railway line.

Justyna Majer, Bolsover District Council Community Rail Officer, Coun Duncan McGregor, former chair of Robin Hood Line Community Rail Partnership and Arron Johnson, Bolsover District Council Policy Officer pick up the Community Rail Award | Robin Hood Line Community Rail Partnership

placeholder image — Justyna Majer, Bolsover District Council Community Rail Officer, Coun Duncan McGregor, former chair of Robin Hood Line Community Rail Partnership and Arron Johnson, Bolsover District Council Policy Officer pick up the Community Rail Award | Robin Hood Line Community Rail Partnership

The Robin Hood Line Community Rail Partnership (RHL CRP) has released its 2025 annual report, with Bolsover District Council acknowledging the RHL CRP’s contribution to community engagement, rail safety education, economic development, environmental improvements, active travel projects, station adoption activity, and partnership achievements during a recent meeting of the council’s Executive committee.

The line is rich in heritage with an abundance of nature, historical and leisure attractions within easy reach of the 13 stations, four of which - Shirebrook, Langwith-Whaley Thorns, Creswell and Whitwell – are in Bolsover district.

Youngsters taking part in a Rail Safe Friendly initiative that warns about the hidden dangers of the railway | Robin Hood Line Community Rail Partnership

Justyna Majer, the district council’s Community Rail Partnership Officer, said: “2025 has been exceptional for the RHL CRP, defined by meaningful projects, strong community engagement and well-deserved recognition.

“From creative arts and safety education to confidence-building programmes and career inspiration, our work has continued to make a real difference to young people and families within our local communities.”

Highlights include the RHL CRP picking up first place in the ‘Involving Children and Young People’ category of the Community Rail Awards, for its ‘Fusion Learning’ initiative.

This project supported 12 students, previously at risk of dropping out of education/employment, to learn fabrication and welding in an authentic workshop environment. They created a 'mammoth' sculpture which now sits proudly at Creswell Station.

Promoting sustainable travel and walking networks accessible from the Robin Hood Line is just one of the partnership's roles | Robin Hood Line Community Rail Partnership

Partnership representatives also attended a parliamentary reception hosted by the Community Rail Network at Westminster to celebrate the impact of community rail.

The partnership has taken part in several community and sector events which brought people together, using the opportunity to highlight the importance of accessible, sustainable rail travel.

These included Bolsover Pride, various community litter-picks, participation in Remembrance Day services and World Book Day visits to schools to encourage youngsters to stay safe on platforms and trains.

Justyna Majer, Bolsover District Council Community Rail Officer using World Book Day to teach youngsters about the dangers of the railway | Robin Hood Line Community Rail Partnership

The RHL CRP also helped to strengthen rail safety awareness across schools, delivering the Rail Safe Friendly programme, alongside Learn Live, engaging with around 2,000 young people from six schools.

The partnership also supported a Try a Train initiative, noting 31 per cent of pupils had never travelled by train before, and helping to boost youngsters’ confidence in travelling by train.