A report from the Railway Industry Association is calling for a new model for investment in railway stations to boost transport, housing and growth. It identifies the 2,600 stations in Britain as an untapped resource which ‘could and should be harnessed’ for the regeneration of local communities as well as increasing the supply of housing.

A cross-industry group convened by RIA has produced ‘Station Investment Zones: A new model for investment in transport, housing and growth’, and the report is being launched in Parliament today.

This urges the creation of new Station Investment Zones, which adapt the existing Investment Zone model to cover roughly an 800-metre radius around stations. Within these zones, planning and tax incentives would be designed to support new housing, commercial development and improved transport.

The report also calls for ‘an innovative investment model’, where the private and public sectors can co-invest in a wide range of local improvements, such as integrated transport hubs and increased amenities for the community. This would draw on the Mutual Investment Model already used in Wales where the public sector can take a share in any proceeds.

Groups of stations could be identified to achieve economies of scale, which RIA says would help to attract private investment and while also reducing costs.

RIA chief executive Darren Caplan said: ‘The railway is the economic backbone of the United Kingdom with station redevelopments such as London King’s Cross St Pancras demonstrating the transformative power of rail investment.’

Campaign for Better Transport chief executive Ben Plowden agreed, saying: ‘This report rightly highlights that Britain’s railway stations are not just transport assets, but potentially powerful catalysts for housing, jobs and local regeneration. By creating Station Investment Zones we can unlock the full potential of these places to support growth, improve accessibility and deliver the sustainable communities the country needs.’

Community Rail chief executive Jools Townsend also called for communities to be involved. She said: ‘Involving and empowering communities is essential to shaping station development: ensuring stations are inclusive, welcoming, and meet local needs. It’s encouraging to see this recognised in RIA's report, and it’s something community rail is uniquely placed to support through local insight, strong partnerships, and deep-rooted engagement, helping stations to become true gateways to opportunity.’

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