6.12 TCCS essay (Community plaques)

Fig 1 Mapping of the Leeds to Huddersfield route.

1 Rationale / Introduction

As a frequent commuter on trains for university and leisure purposes, I have noticed my local train station, Batley, is underused and not fulfilling its potential to positively affect commuters that use it. I wanted to conduct a placebased project that gives back to the local community and area I have lived in my whole life.

This goal aligned well with the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) Student design awards 2022/23 brief ‘Signaling Change: ‘How might we tap into the potential of train stations so they become spaces that amplify and influence positive behaviours?’. This brief is about making train stations more than just a transport hub by influencing and amplifying commuters’ positive behaviours and being better connected to their community.

2 Insider/outsider researchers

For this project, I am an ‘insider’ researcher as I am a member of the community that Batley train station sits within (Kerstetter, 2012). This enabled me to “engage participants more easily and use their shared experiences to gather a richer set of data” (IBID). However, I had to be mindful that ‘insider’ researchers can find it difficult to separate their experiences from those of their participants, which I mitigated by making sure I confirmed my own opinions with insights from interviews. It was important to gain real human insights through observations and interviews as design thinking “is not only human-centred; it is deeply human in and of itself” (Brown, 2009).

3 Exploring train stations on the Leeds to Huddersfield route

Observing and mapping different train stations on the Leeds to Huddersfield route (see fig 1), along with their categorisation, helped me explore and compare what each station had to offer and what they lacked. Apart from inner-city stations Leeds and Huddersfield, which are classified as categories A and B, respectively, the others, are category F train stations, with the exception of Dewsbury classified as category E as it is staffed (Zulien, 2009). Category F stations, the focus of this project, are smaller stations that are unstaffed and have less than 0.25 million trips per year (Zulien, 2009) (Design Council, 2020). These train stations also have limited facilities, with most only having a ticket machine, seating and an indoor shelter, and limited connectivity to the community that they sit in.

3.1 Batley Train station and the community it sits within

Through observations, I noticed that at Batley train station (see figs 2 and 3), my focus, many people are using their phones, often with headphones in, and do not interact with each other, even when trains are delayed or disrupted. This does not help create a sense of community. Speaking to commuters, delays and disruptions affect many passengers’ well-being: “it’s a low level of stress, it’s just after years of it, it gets you down” (Commuter from Batley to Leeds), with better communication between commuters about delays being advantageous for all. Commuters stated they want a “distraction” when waiting for the train and to “not have to think about work,” which currently for many is their mobile phone.

Batley train station is located a significant distance from Batley town (see fig 4) and has limited connectivity to the bus station. Jeffery et al. (2019) state that the walkability of transit-oriented developments (TODs)1 is “a key aspect of success as it facilitates convenient, safe and direct access to and from the transit node”. Batley is not a transit-oriented area as many areas cannot be accessed by transit and the train station is disconnected from the main high street. To get from the high street to Batley train station a busy road (Bradford Road) must be crossed (see fig 4). When

1 A TOD is a residential housing area with work, shops, health and community services in one area and access to other areas via transit (bus and rail) (Jeffery et al., 2019).

Fig 2 Platorm 1 at Batley train station.

Fig 3 Platform 2 Batley train station.

interviewing commuters, one said, “there are no bus stops near the train station” meaning users “would have to walk from the town centre. That would put people off.” I aim to improve Batley train station’s connection with the high street, town centre and bus station.

Fig 4 Location of Batley train station mapping.

3.2 Other observations from train stations on the Leeds to Huddersfield route

Visiting other train stations along the Leeds to Huddersfield route allowed me to explore other stations. For example, whilst I was at Mirfield train station, which is category F, I felt some sense of community as they had a ‘take your own herb garden’ by Mirfield in Bloom (see fig 5) which is maintained by gardeners. However, this apart, Mirfield train station lacked a sense of community, with platform three accessed only by walking across a road under the train tracks, making it feel disconnected from the rest of the station.

Observations at Dewsbury train station were similar to Batley in that people were on their phones and not talking to each other. Dewsbury train station has a waiting room on each platform (see fig 6), but these are uninviting and appeared underused. These spaces potentially being used to amplify positive behaviours within the train station helped me think about building a better sense of community at Batley train station and this could be rolled out to other stations along the Leeds to Huddersfield route.

Fig 5 Take your own herb garden in Mirfield train station.

Fig 6 Dewsbury train station.

Three of the stations along the Leeds to Huddersfield route (Cottingley, Ravensthorpe and Deighton) are very similar in appearance (see figs 7 to 9). These stations have limited facilities, with one ticket machine, no car parks and seats only inside the shelters. They create very little sense of community and have limited connection to their community, which again emphasised the potential benefits of establishing better links to the community at Batley train station.

Fig 7 Cottingley train station.

Fig 8 Ravensthorpe train station.

Fig 9 Deighton train station.

By visiting each station, I was able to compare the facilities they have using radar graphs (see fig 10). The low scores across all categories for the majority of small stations, particularly their underused platform space and lack of seating, highlighted issues with these stations’ facilities and how they could be improved to help amplify positive behaviours at these stations.

Fig 10 Radar graphs showing the facilities at each of the 9 train stations.

4 Exploring positive behaviours

4.1 Comparing positive behaviours at train stations along the Leeds to Huddersfield route

In relation to the RSA brief (Signalling Change) train stations should play a role in educating, supporting and influencing individuals to adopt new behaviours that are regenerative and positively impact the community that they sit in (RSA, 2022). I compared the positive behaviours of each of the nine stations using radar graphs with five categories: joy, community spirit, nature, aesthetics and education (see fig 11). These graphs highlighted that joy, community spirit and nature are lacking at all the train stations and these positive behaviours require improvement.

Fig 11 Radar graphs showing the positive behaviours at each of the 9 train stations.

Figure 12 shows the variation in responses from my seven interviewees. However, overall, community spirit and joy were perceived as lacking at Batley train station and these areas need to be improved.

Fig 12 Radar graphs showing the positive behaviours at Batley train station from interviewees’ responses.

This helped to develop a design question:

To help with ideation, I developed a persona to accompany my design question (see fig 13).

Fig 13 Persona.

4.2 Community spirit

Community spirit helps to create “a friendly atmosphere, a sense of trust and reciprocity, a link to neighbours and to local activity, a helping hand, mutual support, a sense of responsibility” (Mumford and Power, 2003). Vogl (2016) also states that a group that shares ideas, interests, and proximity but lacks concern for one another is not a community, highlighting the importance of connection and mutual care in building a sense of community (Amauchi et al. , 2021). Within a community, this sense of connectivity should also exist between the different spaces and places, for example, between the train station and the high street. When waiting for a train at Batley train station, you feel limited connectivity with the town and its key historic places. Furthermore, when a train is delayed or cancelled, there is little communication and support between commuters, with most people on their phones and in their own bubbles.

Hong et al. (2020) state that community vegetable gardens should improve “community engagement beyond government-led, environmental improvement”. This links to my project’s aim of bringing the community together using community groups and without government input.

Network rail states that the next generation of train stations should “reflect and embody local character and heritage” and “establish connections with and between the town centre and/or the high street” (Design Council, 2020 p 19). This is important to my project because my product aims to connect the train station with the town and reflect its local heritage by helping commuters better connect with the town, such as providing information about upcoming events within the town.

5.1 Ideation

Through ideation, I produced a range of ideas that responded to the design question and the five categories of positive behaviours I developed, as I felt that each category had overlapping ideas and linked with community spirit (see fig 14).

Fig 14 Key ideation sketches.

5 How can I design a product that improves community spirit at Batley Train station?

The idea that I chose to develop further was the community plaques/way-finding idea (see fig 15 to 17), as I felt it had the strongest links with my research and the largest potential benefit to the community, as it connects the train station with the wider town and area.

Fig 15 Development of the community plaques.

Fig 16 Community plaques in context. Fig 17 Close up of community plaques in context.

The community plaques allow commuters of Batley train station to connect more with their town and local area, as each plaque has a QR code allowing users to find information about events, bus times and local history, for example. Figure 18 shows designs for the eight plaques for Batley train station created in illustrator. The plaques can also help connect people waiting for a train by providing a discussion point (see fig 19). I added a word, for example, ‘events’, at the bottom, as feedback suggested people would be reluctant to scan the QR code without knowing where it was leading.

Fig 18 Final 8 plaques for Batley Train station.

Fig 19 Flow diagram showing how the community plaques improves community spirit and connects with the town

Figure 20 shows that Batley is a pilot location for the plaques, with there being the potential for similar plaques being rolled out at other train stations on the Leeds to Huddersfield route. Gaining feedback from the community over a six-month period would allow sufficient time to determine the effect they were having on connecting the train station to the town.

Fig 20 Flow diagram showing the system behind rolling out the plaques to other train stations.

5.2 Feedback from Friends of Batley Station (FOBS)

I was able to get feedback from the chair and other members of Friends of Batley Train Station (FOBS)2, which helped inform my project moving forward. One member said, “we are all about bringing community spirit to Batley, that’s what we try to do, so [the community plaques] aligns with our values” as well as it being “simple but effective, not electronic so would be easier to get funding for.” All feedback from FOBS was positive and inspired me to develop the project further. FOBS also gave me ideas for the different plaques, for example, the Samaritans to help people in times of crisis when thinking about taking their own life by jumping on the tracks, and one for FOBS to help them gain more volunteers and expand the group.

5.3 Feedback from Councilors in Batley

After speaking with councillors who are improving Batley town centre, they said that the “proposal is a positive use of technology to encourage people to engage and believe that the designs are low maintenance and would not be easily vandalised which is essential in a high traffic area like the train station.” Having the plaques be low maintenance is important as I need to make sure they can withstand the weather, constant use and be in a high-traffic area.

6 Conclusion

Taking part in a project within my local community allowed me to reflect on what Batley Train Station currently offers and how this could be improved. Small train stations are often used to get local people from A to B but lack a real sense of connection with the wider community that they sit within. There also appears little communication and engagement between people at these stations, with most people listening to music or using their phones. Therefore, the community plaques aim to better connect the train station with the town and bring commuters together, improving community spirit. The plaques also reflect the local heritage of the town and the train station. Expanding the community plaques to other train stations on the Leeds to Huddersfield route, after the trial period, would help to improve community spirit at other train stations, as this was lacking too.

2 Friends of Batley Station is a community group that “is working and campaigning to improve Batley’s Railway station” (Facebook.com, 2022).

List of illustrations

All images are my own, taken or created by me.

Fig 1 Mapping of the Leeds to Huddersfield route, Iris Hardcastle.

Fig 2 Platform 1 at Batley train station, Iris Hardcastle.

Fig 3 Platform 2 at Batley train station, Iris Hardcastle.

Fig 4 Location of Batley train station mapping, Iris Hardcastle.

Fig 5 Take your own herb garden in Mirfield train station, Iris Hardcastle.

Fig 6 Dewsbury train station, Iris Hardcastle.

Fig 7 Cottingley train station, Iris Hardcastle.

Fig 8 Ravensthorpe train station, Iris Hardcastle.

Fig 9 Deighton train station, Iris Hardcastle.

Fig 10 Radar graphs showing the facilities at each of the 9 train stations, Iris Hardcastle.

Fig 11 Radar graphs showing the positive behaviours at each of the 9 train stations, Iris Hardcastle.

Fig 12 Radar graphs showing the positive behaviours at Batley train station from interviewees’ responses, Iris Hardcastle.

Fig 13 Persona, Iris Hardcastle.

Fig 14 Key product ideas from the ideation phase, Iris Hardcastle.

Fig 15 Development of community plaques, Iris Hardcastle.

Fig 16 Community plaques in context, Iris Hardcastle.

Fig 17 Close up of community plaques in context, Iris Hardcastle.

Fig 18 Final 8 plaques, Iris Hardcastle.

Fig 19 Flow diagram showing how the community plaques improves community spirit and connects with the town, Iris Hardcastle.

Fig 20 Flow diagram showing the system behind rolling out the plaques to other train stations, Iris Hardcastle.

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