We help Devon and Cornwall’s branch lines to grow.

We help Devon and Cornwall’s
branch lines to grow.

Who we are

Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership team and partners at Plymouth station

We are a non-profit partnership between local authorities, the railway and the University of Plymouth, where we are based.

Our core funding partners are Cornwall Council, Devon County Council, Great Western Railway, South Western Railway and CrossCountry Trains.

Our impact

Passengers with shopping bags on train

We have helped secure more frequent trains on each of the counties’ branch lines, and have made stations more attractive and welcoming in partnership with community volunteers.

With our help from 2001 to 2019 passenger numbers more than doubled on the branch lines. We're now helping the railway to build back better from the pandemic, with the majority of the branch lines already surpassing 2019 levels.

Our highlights

Check out this infographic of our latest highlights: from the numbers that tell our story to our latest case studies and awards.

Devon and Cornwall rail network map
National recognition

When the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership was founded in 1991, we were the country’s first Community Rail Partnership (CRP).

There are now more than 75 CRPs around the UK. Supported by the Community Rail Network, they come together at the annual Community Rail Awards to share and celebrate best practice.

Since the event began in 2005 we have been awarded sixteen 1st places, six 2nd places and eight 3rd places.