Department for Transport

New chairmen appointed to head three Rail Passengers Committees

date 23 Jan 2003 00:00   source Department for Transport   type Press release

Three new chairmen were appointed to head regional Rail Passengers Committees today.

The appointments for the Committees for the North Eastern, North Western and Southern regions were announced by Transport Minister John Spellar.

Rail Passengers Committees act as watchdogs for users of Britain's railways. The Chairmen represent regional passenger interests on the national Rail Passengers Council.

Brendan O'Friel has been re-appointed as Chairman of the Rail Passengers Committee for North Western England.

Christine Knights has been appointed as Chairman of the Rail Passengers Committee for North Eastern England.

Tim Nicholson has been appointed as Chairman of the Rail Passengers Committee for Southern England.

John Spellar said:

"I am pleased to announce these three appointments today. All three are regular rail users and have practical experiences and knowledge which I'm sure will help them to be strong champions for the travelling public.

Brendan has had a successful period as Chairman of the Rail Passengers Committee for North Western England since May 1998 and is held in high regard by his peers. Tim comes to the post from a strong background in the fields of economic affairs and commerce, and Christine brings with her valuable knowledge of consumer rights and policy. " Biographical details

Brendan O'Friel lives in Warrington and has lived and worked in the North West for the majority of his life. Following a successful period as Chairman of the North Western RPC since May 1998, Brendan O'Friel has been re-appointed to the post for a further 4 years. He was the former Prison Governor of HMP Strangeways, Manchester and was chairman of the Prison Governors Association between 1990-95.

Christine Knights lives in Easingwold, North Yorks. She is a consumer policy & consumer organisation development consultant. She was previously the Programmes Manager at Consumers International in Europe.

Tim Nicholson lives in Cranbrook, Kent. He was Chief Executive of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation. He has also been the Chief Executive of the Securities Institute and Project Director for the Foundation of Hong Kong Securities Institute.

NOTES TO EDITORS

These appointments will run for four years, from 1 April 2003 until 31 March 2007. The posts attract a salary of £17,425 per annum.

Rail Passenger Committee Chairmen also become members of the Rail Passengers Council, the national railway passengers' watchdog.

The Rail Passengers Council and the eight regional Rail Passengers Committees were set up under the Railways Act 1993. Under provisions in the Transport Act 2000 sponsorship of the Rail Passengers Council and the Rail Passengers Committees transferred to the Strategic Rail Authority.

The Secretary of State for the Department for Transport appoints the Chairmen of the Rail Passengers Committees.

Rail Passengers Committees operate as watchdogs for users of Britain's rail service. Rail users who do not receive a satisfactory response to their complaint from a train operator can contact the appropriate RPC which are be able to take up the matter on their behalf.

In the case of closures of services or stations, the Rail Passengers Committees have the power to hold public hearings; they can report on possible hardships and propose amendments to alleviate them.

The Rail Passengers Committees can also consider any matter, which is referred to them by the Secretary of State and the Strategic Rail Authority, as well as any matter affecting the railway that they feel they should look into.

The address of the RPC North Western England is:

Rail Passengers Committee North Western England
9th Floor
Rail House
Store Street
Manchester M1 2RP

Tel: 0161 244 5982
Fax: 0161 244 5981

The address of the RPC North Eastern England is:

Rail Passengers Committee North Eastern England
Hilary House
16 St Saviour's Place
York
YO1 2PL

Tel: 01904 625615
Fax: 01904 643026

The address of the RPC Southern England is:

Rail Passengers Committee Southern England
3rd Floor
Centric House
390/391 Strand
London
WC2R OLT

Tel: 020 7420 5308
Fax: 020 7420 8923

The Rail Passengers Council and Committees website can be found at www.railpassengers.org.uk.

Public Enquiries: 020 7944 8300
Department for Transport Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk

Railnews Archive ::: 2003-01-23 DfT-001

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