Cambrian Railway Partnership has engaged with 40 plus community groups and organisations and shared more than £7,400 through the Railway 200 Community Grant Fund in the past year, the annual meeting was told.
Neil Scott and Graham Davis were re-elected chair and vice chair, respectively, following a year of significant progress for the partnership, which has strengthened its presence across communities served by the Cambrian Railway Line.
The partnership has expanded community engagement, appointed a new community rail officer, secured funding for 16 local projects celebrating Railway 200 and continued to promote sustainable travel, rail safety and access to the railway across Powys, Ceredigion, Gwynedd and Shropshire.
The partnership works with communities along the rail network from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth and up the Wales coast to Pwllheli, spanning 120 miles and 34 stations.
Hosted by Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations (PAVO) and funded primarily by Transport for Wales, the partnership works with local authorities, community organisations, station adopters, tourism partners and volunteers to connect communities with their railway and encourage greater use of trains across the region.
The partnership’s 2025-26 Impact Report highlights a year focused on building relationships and increasing visibility along the line.
More than 33 community blogs were published and 16 organisations received grants totalling in excess of £7,400 to support creative projects celebrating 200 years of the modern railway.
Mr Scott said he was delighted that he and Mr Davies have been re-elected.
“Together we have overseen a significant period of change for the partnership that has focused on engaging with our communities, delivering projects, such as our Railway 200 Community Grant Fund and recruiting a new community rail development officer in 2025,” he added.
“We look forward to another two years of leading and supporting the partnership and delivering new projects for communities and the railway.”
Deb Justice, community rail development officer, said: “This year has provided valuable opportunities to be visible along the Cambrian Line, engaging directly with the communities who live and work beside it. Collaborating with such dedicated and passionate groups has been a privilege.
“The Railway 200 Community Grant Fund has enabled the development of several outstanding projects, each reflecting the creativity, commitment and pride that characterise the communities along the Cambrian Line.”
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