In May 2022 Seventeen students from Ashford College (17-18yrs) and their tutors joined Kent Community Rail Partnership on the train from Ashford to Maidstone East during Community Rail Week. Whilst on the train the students engaged in discussions expressing their views on many aspects of rail travel including barriers to train travel for their age group, sustainability, accessibility and rail safety. The student’s views were collected to form a report to advance ways of opening up rail travel more widely to this age group.
Whilst at Maidstone East the students saw behind the scenes watching how the trains travel across the network. To their delight they were able to make public notice announcements and also received a valuable safety briefing from Southeastern’s Travel Safe, Travel Smart Manager, Sanchez Virginie. Community Rail Network’s Chief Executive, Jools Townsend joined the event discussing various aspects of rail travel with the students.
The event ended with lunch prepared by Ashford College Catering students and a tour of the College. A great day was had by all and the information gathered will inform many of the Partnerships future projects, activities and events.