Mind the gap

We are working in partnership with South Western Railway on our Station Adoption project. Mind the gap has been created to make your railway stations more community friendly through activities and events in or around stations from Hamworthy to Christchurch.

Mind the Gap aims to:

• support local communities to set up ‘Friends of’ groups, increasing community engagement in stations and rail travel
• reduce social isolation in the communities around stations in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area
• build confidence and enthusiasm to explore the region by train.

There is potential to refurbish unused station rooms to create community spaces, with the help of Bournemouth University’s History students who will be exploring the rich history and social and cultural impact of the railway on our towns and residents. The historical material collected will be used to create new artwork to be displayed in the stations.

Work will also include a refreshed mural for Pokesdown station, already underway, and with the help of Bournemouth University History and Media students, the rich heritage of the stations will be explored.

Residents, communities and groups will be invited to work together to explore how some of the stations from Hamworthy through to Christchurch could be improved with a stronger community presence

What you can do

If you have any ideas about the potential of our stations please let us know by:

• completing our survey
• sharing your ideas.