Avanti West Coast has opened applications for the newest round of its £1 million Customers and Communities Improvement Fund. The initiative supports tourism growth, community development, and improved travel experiences along the West Coast Main Line. This line stretches from London to major destinations in the Midlands, North West, North Wales, and Scotland.
The fund enters its sixth year with a strong focus on empowering local groups, charities, and community organisations. Each year, it helps improve stations, create welcoming spaces, and support tourism initiatives that highlight the cultural strengths of towns and cities along the route.
Strengthening Local Tourism Across the West Coast Corridor
The railway connects many of the UK’s most visited regions. With rising demand for sustainable travel, Avanti West Coast aims to help communities unlock the tourism potential of their surroundings. The fund supports projects within five miles of its stations, giving local groups the chance to enhance their area.
Shorter travel times and upgraded trains continue to attract more passengers. Avanti West Coast hopes the CCIF will add further value by supporting local attractions, improving station facilities, and creating stronger community ties.
Key Priorities of the Customers and Communities Improvement Fund
1. Enhancing Railway Stations for Visitors
Many travellers form their first impression of a region at the railway station. The fund encourages projects that make stations more vibrant, safe, and inviting. Proposals may include public art, green spaces, local heritage displays, and improved facilities for leisure and business travellers.
Communities are urged to think creatively. Past enhancements have included murals, community gardens, tourism information points, and upgraded waiting areas designed to improve comfort for visitors.
2. Broadening Access to Rail Travel
Improved accessibility remains a core focus. Avanti West Coast aims to make rail travel easier for people with disabilities, older adults, and those facing mobility challenges. The fund supports initiatives that remove travel barriers.
This may include better step-free routes, clearer signage, improved lighting, and community projects that link remote neighbourhoods with mainline services. By expanding access, the fund promotes inclusive tourism and supports local economies.
3. Fostering Community Spirit and Tourism Events
The fund also backs projects that bring communities together. Festivals, guided tours, cultural showcases, and seasonal events can draw more visitors to local towns. Activities that celebrate local heritage, food, music, and history often become key tourism drivers.
Through these events, communities can highlight unique attractions, support small businesses, and boost regional visibility on the tourism map.
Promoting Sustainable Travel and Long-Term Community Benefits
The fund aligns with global sustainability goals that encourage responsible tourism and reduced environmental impact. Avanti West Coast supports projects that promote greener travel choices, reduce carbon footprints, and protect local natural resources.
Communities may propose initiatives such as cycling routes, green station upgrades, nature-based tourism, or educational programs that promote sustainable travel habits. These efforts help protect natural landscapes along the West Coast corridor while supporting economic growth.
How Local Organisations Can Apply
Community groups, charities, local authorities, and social enterprises can apply for funding. Applications should clearly outline the project’s goals, expected community benefits, and long-term impact.
Avanti West Coast encourages proposals that show strong community involvement and realistic delivery plans. The application form and full details are available on the company’s official platform. Projects must demonstrate clear alignment with fund priorities to be considered.
Joanna Buckley, Community Manager at Avanti West Coast, emphasises that the fund allows communities to shape how rail services can better support their needs. She highlights the importance of creativity, collaboration, and local pride in successful applications.
Submission Deadline and Key Dates
Applications for the latest funding round will close at 23:59 on Friday, 9 January 2026. This gives organisations ample time to develop strong proposals and gather supporting information.
Successful projects are usually announced later in the year, with funding released to help deliver improvements that benefit both residents and visitors.
Previous Success Stories
Over the years, the fund has supported a wide range of impactful projects. Many stations have seen new community spaces, art installations, and accessibility upgrades. Events funded through previous rounds have attracted tourists from across the UK and boosted local business activity.
Other funded projects have focused on reducing social isolation, improving digital access to travel information, and creating safer, more welcoming public areas around railway stations. These successes highlight the fund’s ability to generate long-term value for local communities.
Building Stronger Tourism Futures Along the West Coast
Avanti West Coast’s Customers and Communities Improvement Fund continues to play a major role in supporting regional tourism and local development. As travel patterns shift and more people choose rail for sustainable journeys, the fund helps communities adapt and thrive.
With a clear focus on sustainability, accessibility, and tourism promotion, the latest funding round aims to create meaningful change. It offers a powerful opportunity for local groups to shape the future of their towns and share their unique identity with travellers from across the UK.
If developed well, the projects funded today will benefit future generations, strengthen tourism networks, and build a more connected West Coast region.
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