We are the British Regional Transport Association

The British Regional Transport Association (BRTA), formerly English Regional Transport Association, is a voluntary membership-based, pro-public transport improvement association. Line re-openings is right up our street in advocacy, campaigning and nurturing congenial agreement and resolution, bringing people together and making common cause.

Pro-public transport

BRTA seeks to be realistic and match our available human and other resources and what we can reasonably do with the plethora of projects needing stimulus and advocacy. Clearly, we cannot do it all, and on the one hand are cheered others are growing groups to fill in gaps whilst the national bodies seem wedded to big projects and lack-lustre in grassroot upwards endeavours or at least not as comprehensively on the reopenings front as we would like.

There should be a rolling programme of re-openings across the English regions akin to modernisation, electrification and station upgrades for example, alas this component isn’t happening and the queue grows amidst locked-in congestion and associated issues. Bedford-Cambridge, Great Central, Guildford-Horsham and rail links to Northampton are among our top priorities and our call is for others to join and be part of the solution, not just a consumer bewailing the problems!

A growing membership would indicate we are representative and our membership is the best way to show support and solidarity. We also appoint area reps to help with recruitment and seeking opportunities, time, skills and talents to better get our message across.

Our history and core manifesto

The British Regional Transport Association (BRTA) is a voluntary membership-based, pro-public transport improvement association with its main projects initially in the Bedfordshire and surrounding regional areas but its remit has since increased since several of its projects have a nationwide positive benefit and impact. Membership is therefore open to all.
 
It firmly supports an Ampthill Station being put back on the railway map and sees Luton Airport-Ampthill (for CentreParcs) -Bedford-Northampton (including the university campus) by one Thameslink train, as informative of an arc and Luton-Northampton M1 end-to-end, offering a comprehensive joined-up rail alternative with no need to change, saving time and money.
 
Also Cambridge-Bedford-Northampton/Oxford could be possible freeing up capacity on the West Coast Main Line for passenger and freight workings. We need a renaissance in more freight by rail and de-cluttering our roads. This is best done by small projects which grow incrementally in a framework and industry which wants growth and is allowed by government. Scotland’s rail links have been progressively reopened and Wales is also seeing new lines like Ebbw Vale restored to a full passenger service after many years dormant. So why not the English regions? East-West Rail should be one of a top 10 per region, not a one-off for the whole of England!
 
We also campaign for an environmentally-friendly, integrated, comprehensive, inclusive and affordable transport system including buses, cycling and pedestrian facilities.
 
As an independent, voluntary association BRTA relies on a growing membership to help it pay the way, invest in its campaigning work and maintain a network of activists who seek to forward its goals. Members get regular newsletters keeping them abreast of progress, news and outlaying opportunities to get involved, engage and be actively playing a part to make the most of any opportunities which come its way.

Make a one-off donation

We understand that you may wish to make a one off donation instead of or in addition to your membership (see our membership page). We are grateful any support you can give. Please use the following link to make one off donations.
Follow BRTA's live blog here at brtarailvolunteer.blogspot.com