This Volunteers’ Week (2-8 June 2025), we highlight the work of the Yorkshire Coast Community Rail Partnership (YCCRP) – often the unsung heroes of transportation in Hull and East Yorkshire.
Formed in 1999, YCCRP is made up of members that act as a voice for passengers, communities, town and parish councils, businesses, volunteer groups and organisations along the Hull to Scarborough rail corridor, so all can play an active role in the development of their local rail service and stations.
The volunteers for the not-for-profit organisation help bring communities together and provide them with a voice, promote sustainable, healthy and accessible travel and support diversity and inclusion and social and economic development.
To achieve this, YCCRP undertakes a variety of projects and initiatives as part of its community rail strategy, including:
- Promoting the Hull to Scarborough line for the social, economic and environmental benefit of residents and visitors and to support the social wellbeing of the communities served by the railway.
- Working with a range of partners for specific improvements at stations and to train services.
- Encouraging regeneration, sustainable development and social inclusion along the corridor/s served by the railway.
- Working with existing organisations to promote the tourism/heritage of the railway and its corridor and support local and regional tourism initiatives.
- Promoting integrated transport links to the railway, including buses, cycling and walking and to encourage good links to the national rail network.
- Promoting active community participation at stations.
- Working with a range of local partners to ensure the railway plays a full part in the social and economic regeneration of the area.
- Ensuring that train services and stations are safe, secure and accessible.
- Educating the wider community of the benefits of integrated, sustainable transport.
“We wouldn’t exist without our volunteers,” said Rachel Osborne, YCCRP’s rail officer.
“Here at the Yorkshire Coast Community Rail Partnership, volunteers are central to everything we do, from the members of our volunteer committee through to those that we work with locally to keep our train stations looking clean, tidy and welcoming.
“As an organisation, we work closely with various village and town ‘in bloom’ groups, who ensure our stations look amazing during the spring and summer months with colourful and vibrant flower displays, as well as keeping noticeboards up to date for the benefit of passengers and reporting faults for timely repair,” added Rachel.
In addition to the upkeep of the area’s stations, YCCRP, and its volunteers, also take part in local events, projects and initiatives to promote rail travel.
“Late last month, YCCRP took part in Community Rail Week – helping to promote the hourly services on the Hull to Scarborough line at a joint event in Sheffield,” said Rachel.
“We also took advantage of the beautiful weather and hosted a guided walk between the stations at Hessle to Ferriby, which includes part of the Yorkshire Wolds Way National Trail, to showcase the amazing local walking opportunities available.”
“It’s something I’m interested in, gets me out of bed in the morning and keeps me active,” said YCCRP volunteer Alan Gouldthorpe when asked about his work with the partnership.
“Sharing my knowledge to encourage people to use the railway sustainably and safely and working with communities to make their station part of their community is really rewarding.”
The YCCRP also works collaboratively with different groups in the community, including vulnerable and disabled people, to support and encourage rail travel – such as ‘Try the Train’ workshops.
Councillor Mark Ieronimo, cabinet portfolio holder for transport and infrastructure at Hull City Council, said: “Volunteers’ Week provides us with an opportunity to celebrate and recognise the contributions of volunteers in our city. It is therefore fitting that we acknowledge the work of those who help support and encourage active and sustainable travel choices.
“As a council, we are proud to work closely with the Yorkshire Coast Community Rail Partnership who share our ambitions of developing safe and welcoming neighbourhoods, creating a healthier and fairer Hull and tackling the climate emergency by promoting train travel as an option for leisure and for the daily commute.
“We’d like to thank the partnership and its volunteers for the outstanding work they do all year round to support more people in choosing rail for their journey.”
For more information about the YCCRP, visit: www.yccrp.co.uk
