The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) is giving local community groups, schools and charities the opportunity to apply for funding to improve local spaces and services along its 70-mile route.
With billions of pounds being invested to transform rail travel between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York, TRU is launching a new community fund to give back to the communities it works across.
A total of GBP 175,000 is to be distributed along the route this year, with funding available in the form of small grants (GBP 1,000 to GBP 5,000) or medium grants (GBP 5,000 to GBP 20,000).
Community projects within 5 miles of the core TRU route and its key diversionary routes will be eligible to receive funding. Those that focus on improving and encouraging the use of public spaces are likely to be favoured, particularly in areas of high social need.
Applications for small grants will open on Monday 5 August whilst applications for medium grants will open on Monday 19 August. Applicants will have 6 weeks to submit their bids from each opening date.
Applicants can follow this link to find out more, and to apply once applications open: Transpennine Route Upgrade Community Fund | www.gmcvo.org.uk
The allocation of funding is being independently managed on behalf of TRU by GMCVO, who work to strengthen the voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector.
Two online briefing events have been arranged by GMCVO to explain the application process and eligibility criteria to potential applicants. Those interested can click on the links below to register for either session:
- Wednesday 31st July, 1pm – 2:30pm
- Thursday 15th August, 11am – 12:30pm
TRU is a transformative railway programme that will better connect passengers in the North through more frequent, faster trains on a greener, more reliable railway.
The community fund will help ensure that TRU can drive real, long-term benefits in the towns and cities it is operating in over the next decade.
Forming a key part of the project’s sustainability strategy, the fund intends to champion four priorities of TRU:
- Northern jobs: job opportunities, upskilling and work experience for local people.
- Enhanced environment: restoring nature, reducing carbon footprint, adopting circular economy principals and supporting sustainability.
- Satisfied customers: a safe, reliable and accessible railway for local people.
- Working with communities: investing in wellbeing, education and community spaces.
“The TRU Community Fund is a fantastic opportunity for the organisations at the heart of our communities to leave a lasting impact on the people they serve.
We’re delighted to be able to launch such a scheme and encourage as many local schools, charities and community groups as possible to apply for the funding.”
– Anna Humphries, Head of Sustainability and Social Value for TRU
The initiative is the next phase of what has been a hugely successful period for the programme’s sustainability team after years of engaging with schools and colleges, in addition to volunteering and fundraising alongside charity partners such as the Canal & River Trust, St Georges Crypt and Mustard Tree.
To date, the project has employed over 270 apprentices, provided over 12,800 hours of volunteering, and engaged with more than 49,000 local young people along the route.
The Transpennine Route Upgrade
We’re transforming journeys across the North, better connecting towns and cities through more frequent, faster trains, running on a cleaner, greener and more reliable railway.
TRU will bring passengers:
- More trains to choose from and more seats. Our improvements will enable more trains to run between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York with up to six fast services every hour between Leeds and Manchester and up to two stopping services for local connectivity.
- Faster journeys so you can travel to your favourite towns and cities more quickly. Our fastest journey times are forecast to be 63-66 minutes between Manchester and York and 41-42 minutes between Manchester and Leeds.
- More reliable journeys with trains that run on-time.
- Better stations across the Transpennine route, bringing passengers a better travel experience through improved, more accessible stations.
- Greener travel, reducing our carbon footprint and improving air quality. Our plans aim to save up to 87,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year – supporting the government’s Net Zero objectives. We’re also developing a proposal to move more goods by rail (up to 15 more freight trains each day).
Together, these freight trains are expected to remove over 1,000 lorries off the road each day.
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