Rail operator opens community investment fund

A rail operator has opened applications for the latest round of its Customer and Communities Improvement Fund (CCIF).

South Western Railway (SWR), which operates services in the south of England, said the CCIF programme would support a community benefit or address an area of social need.

The SWR network serves Surrey, Berkshire, Devon, Dorset, Greater London, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Somerset, and Wiltshire.

In 2024, funding of £400,000 was awarded to 15 projects across the SWR network.

These ranged from supporting an outreach worker to reach vulnerable young people around stations in the Southampton area, to cycle repair training in Hounslow.

Peter Williams, SWR’s customer and commercial director, said: Supporting the many local communities we serve is a priority for South Western Railway, and we look forward to receiving applications for projects that can bring them real benefit.”

The rail operator said criteria for a successful application included addressing community or social need, demonstration of benefits, deliverability against costs and timescales, alignment with its charitable giving policy and links to the railway.

Since the first round in 2018, grant funding of more than £7m has been awarded to more than 100 projects.

Applications can be submitted until 31 December on the SWR CCIF website.

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