Loading...
 

Press release 8th November 2015

 

Rail User Group award winners





The winners of this year's Rail User Group awards have been announced. The awards, organised by campaign group Railfuture, aim to recognise and reward local volunteers who come together and work tirelessly to improve their local railway and stations on behalf of their passengers. The judging panel consisted of Railfuture Vice Presidents Ian Brown, Roger Ford, Stewart Palmer, and Lorna Slade. The awards this year were presented by Christian Wolmar, Railfuture President, at a ceremony at the Mercure Hotel in Bristol.  The full list of winners is:


BEST CAMPAIGN - Gold Award

Harrogate Line Supporters Group

A successful double campaign to bring major rail improvements to Harrogate which has two aims: To increase the frequency of direct services between London and Harrogate, ultimately achieving a two-hourly service in each direction, seven days a week, and to improve services on the Leeds-York-Harrogate line, removing dated Pacer trains and increasing frequency by introducing electrification and double-tracking.  There have been two major developments in both campaigns:  Virgin-Stagecoach East Coast have announced new two-hourly service to and from London, and the Harrogate line has been recommended as a top priority for electrification by the government-appointed taskforce.


BEST CAMPAIGN - Silver Award

TransWilts Community Rail Partnership
which aims to transform inadequate service on Chippenham to Trowbridge line via Melksham through a substantial increase in number of daily trains: "to gain and retain an appropriate service". The judges commented that it was "an impressive achievement."


Clara Zihali Award  for best campaigner, in memory of a stalwart Railfuture campaigner who died in 2013

BEST CAMPAIGNER - Commendation

Dave Horton
Abbey Flyer users group


BEST CAMPAIGNER - Commendation

Bob Morrison
Great Western Coffee Shop Forum
This is a forum-based website where (mainly) Great Western Railway customers can access over 170,000 messages to find out about travel by train in the Thames Valley, the West of England and South Wales. Members can post questions, chat about what's going on, get help with travel plans, and so on. The forum is provided by and moderated by passengers. It has significant rail industry and governmental input. Each day 60-70 messages are posted, and most are readable by any visitor to the site, whether or not they have signed up for membership.


BEST CAMPAIGNER - Gold Award

Brian Dunsby, Harrogate Line Supporters Group

Successful double campaign  to bring major rail improvements to Harrogate.

The judges praised his "dedicated efforts to promote and develop the Harrogate line."


BEST NEW GROUP – The Oliver Lovell Award in memory of the Cotswold Line Promotion Group founder who died in 2013

Saltford Station Campaign

Judges' comments: "Campaign shows a sound knowledge of the rail industry and grasp of technical detail, good engagement with stakeholders' buy-in, cross-party support, a strong environmental message, and a good chance of success."


BEST NEWSLETTER - Gold Award

Friends of the Settle and Carlisle Line quarterly newsletter

The judges said "Very informative, packed with news, and the campaigning message stands out.  There's always a stunning photo on the front and back covers."


BEST NEWSLETTER - Commendation

Ribble Valley Rail
The User Group for the Clitheroe Line


BEST NEWSLETTER - Commendation

Lakes Line User Group


BEST WEB-SITE - Gold Award

Abbey Flyer users group
which the judges described as "Clear about its aims and activities, well-designed and user-friendly."


BEST WEB-SITE - Silver Award

TransWilts Community Rail Partnership
Connecting Wiltshire's Communities and Businesses
Judges said: "It provides easy-to-read information about using the train service, and contains clear campaigning messages and promotes the service." It also operates the www.firstgreatwestern.info discussion board, which the judges said was "Live and well-used with input from visitors."


BEST SOCIAL MEDIA PROMOTION

TransWilts Community Rail Partnership for The Weymouth Wizard
The judges said it was "Effective with impressive results, and reflecting increasingly wide use of social media across the rail industry."


JUDGES' SPECIAL AWARD

Railfuture Scotland
for all who campaigned to reopen the Borders Railway.
Judges' comments "Our national branch in Scotland must receive this year's Special Award on behalf of all in Scotland, and beyond, who have achieved this historic campaign milestone  "


Notes to editors:

Railfuture is the UK's leading independent organisation campaigning for better rail services for both passengers and freight.

Railfuture's website can be found at: www.railfuture.org.uk

Further information about the Rail User Group Awards: www.railfuture.org.uk/RUG%20Awards

Follow Railfuture on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Railfuture

For further information and comment please contact:

Bruce Williamson, media spokesman
Tel: 0117 927 2954 Mobile: 07759 557389
media at railfuture.org.uk