The RailStaff Awards 2024

Nominations for Rail Team of the Year

Wendy Whiteley

Said the following about West Region Station Managers and Northern Station Managers:

“This nomination is for the West Region Station Managers at Northern.

They have had their work cut out for them this year.

Jane Murray, Station Manager for Cumbria has had her issues well documented over the local and national press. With all the cancellations in the area and having to move to buses to keep customers on the move. Jane has been the anchor keeping Cumbria up and running; providing buses, information and assistance to passengers; supporting her staff who have been at the receiving end of masses of angry customers; liaising with stakeholders, colleagues, staff and customers in the full glare of the press.

Mick Elliott, Station Manager for the Blackpool and North Lancs area has been overseeing the Network Rail electrification upgrade. This has meant Blackpool North being closed for a number of months, customers being transferred between Preston and Blackpool via buses. This has had the knock on affect at Preston Station, where Mick has had a team of staff managing the operations to keep our customers on the move. This on top of the Summer Season starting in Blackpool and additional events around the area bringing thousands of people in.

Trevor Armitage, Station Manager for Merseyside and South Lancs. Trevor has been managing two areas in the absence of a colleague, which has also encompassed the Lime Street Upgrade Works. So he has been managing disruption across Merseyside on top of being on call 2-3 weeks out of 4.

All three Managers have worked their socks off, with the sole aim of keeping our Customers moving, and they have done a sterling job under extreme circumstances.“