WEST Midlands Railway is looking to recognise community groups based near the stations on the Cross City Line to celebrate the line’s 40th anniversary.
The train operator has launched a competition for organisations to get in touch, including groups from Bromsgrove, Redditch, Alvechurch, Barnt Green, Longbridge, Northfield, Kings Norton, Selly Oak and Bournville.
Among those eligible for the Cross City Heroes award are charities, young people’s clubs, sports teams or other community groups which make a difference.
One group will be selected for each of the 24 stations between Bromsgrove, Redditch and Lichfield.
Winning groups will receive a plaque of recognition at their local station, a VIP visit to see the new trains for the route, and ten free tickets for journeys across the West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway networks, to aid in their fund-raising efforts.
Fay Easton, head of stakeholder and community for West Midlands Railway, said: “The route is such a key part of many communities, and there is so much going on in every one of these areas.”
She urged anyone who knew of a deserving group near a Cross City Line station to nominate them.
The Cross City Line carries more than 55,000 passengers every day and, because of the extension to Bromsgrove which started last July, is the busiest commuter route outside London.
Coun Roger Lawrence, chair of West Midlands Rail Executive and West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) portfolio holder for transport, said:
“We believe local rail lines are an important part of any local community and to mark the Cross City Line’s 40th anniversary we wanted to highlight and acknowledge some of the selfless work people in those communities are doing to help others.”
Groups can be nominated online at westmidlandsrailway.co.uk/crosscityheroes and entries close on March 31.
The winners will be announced in mid-April.
The campaign will also be featured on social media, using the hashtag #crosscityheroes
All nominations will be assessed by the West Midlands Railway team, in conjunction with West Midlands Rail Executive.
