Connecting Communities – Five Years On is a mini series that marks the fifth anniversary since the publication of the Connecting Communities report by ATOC in June 2009. It reviews the progress of the stations and lines proposed in the report.
A number of projects have made substantial progress (with Ilkeston and Kenilworth funded and due to open shortly), whilst others have made no progress.
Railway Lines
- Cranleigh (Surrey)
- Bordon, Hythe and Ringwood in Hampshire
- Brixham in Devon
- Aldridge and Brownhills (West Midlands)
- Wisbech (Cambridgeshire).
- Leicester to Burton (Derbyshire)
- Fleetwood, Rawtenstall and Skelmersdale in Lancashire
- Washington (Tyne and Wear)
- Ashington & Blyth (Northumberland)
Stations
- Rushden (Northamptonshire)
- Peterlee (County Durham)
- Kenilworth (Warwickshire)
- Ilkeston (Derbyshire)
- Clay Cross (Derbyshire)
- Ossett (W Yorkshire)
- Wantage (Oxfordshire)
As of June 2014, these tables summarise the progress made on the named projects.
Stations
Three of the seven railway stations proposed are expected to open in the next three years.
| Station | Summary |
| Rushden (Northamptonshire) | No Progress |
| Peterlee (County Durham) | 2016 |
| Kenilworth (Warwickshire) | 2016 |
| Ilkeston (Derbyshire) | 2014 |
| Clay Cross (Derbyshire) | Support but little progress |
| Ossett (W Yorkshire) | WYCA Review due mid 2014 |
| Wantage (Oxfordshire) | Support and some progress |
Railway Lines
A number of the proposals have received substantial investment in terms of studies. Unfortunately, none of them have had strong enough business cases to proceed to construction at this stage but a small number are looking promising for delivery over the next five years.
| Order | Railway Line | BCR | Summary |
| 1 | Hythe | 4.8 | GRIP3. Now Parked |
| 2 | Brixham | 3 | No Interest |
| 3 | Bordon | 1.9 | GRIP3. Now Parked |
| 4 | Fleetwood | 1.8 | Local Council exploring Options |
| 5 | Rawtenstall | 1.8 | Local Council exploring Options |
| 6 | Aldridge | 1.7 | LEP looking into funding |
| 7 | Brownhills | 1.7 | Very little Interest |
| 8 | Cranleigh | 1.7 | Very little Interest. Local Council Reviewed options in 90’s |
| 9 | Ringwood | 1.5 | No Interest |
| 10 | Washington (Leamside) | 1.4 | LEP/PTE looking at options |
| 11 | Leicester to Burton | 1.3 | Very little Interest. Local Council Reviewed options in 2008 |
| 12 | Skelmesdale | 1.1 | LEP/PTE looking at options to deliver this |
| 13 | Ashington and Blyth | 1.1 | Priced Option in Northern Rail Franchise Consultation |
| 14 | Wisbech | 1.1 | Council/MP looking at options and campaigning |
| 19 | Portishead | * | Station Location Consultation open at moment. Due 2019. |