​Thameslink's Cricklewood station wins again!

Thameslink, run by Govia Thameslink Railway, has announced the community partnership at Cricklewood station as a winner in its service quality awards, nine months after the same team won a national competition.

Cricklewood Station Partnership was presented with the award for the best community station on the Great Northern and Thameslink routes at an event jointly sponsored by the company and its Customer Cabinet, a group of passengers who help Thameslink and Great Northern to improve its customer experience for passengers.

A group of judges consisting representatives from the Customer Cabinet, Network Rail, the Department for Transport and Transport Focus visited a range of stations, including Crofton Park, Elstree & Borehamwood, Foxton and Shepreth, where station partnerships have seen local people improve their station for the benefit of the community.

Improvements made at Cricklewood station include new plants at the entrance, a large station sign made from recycled wood, a community book swap and photos taken at community events in the town (see pictures attached).

Stuart Chesire, Thameslink and Great Northern Passenger Services Director, said: "We were truly impressed by the high standard of work by community groups we saw across the network. It is so wonderful to see groups working with us to improve the experience at these locations.

"We would have liked to have given an award to every partner and it was very difficult making the final decision. However, Cricklewood just had the edge, especially when you consider the group has only been involved at the station for the last year. Congratulations to them and my thanks to all the partners who go out of their way to support our stations."

Speaking about the award, Anne Clarke from the Cricklewood partnership said: "The community in Cricklewood has done so much to improve the area we all share. The station project has brought together many groups in Cricklewood, including residents' associations, schools and individuals from all backgrounds. Our station is now pride of place and we are rightly proud of all we have accomplished together."

ends

Notes to editors

Last year Cricklewood Station Partnership won the Silver Level of the “It’s Your Station” category of the Association of Community Rail Partnership awards.

Thameslink has 65 station partnerships across its network, where local groups adopt a station and work with the local team to help it help the community. This continues to be a growing success, with 22 communities adopting their stations during 2016.

Other stations recognised at the awards for north and south of London, were: Rising star stations - Hatfield and Haywards Heath

Shining star small/medium station - Ravensbourne, Polegate

Shining star large station - Bedford, Lewes

Community - Cricklewood and Uckfield