News

CLARKE STRENGTHENS COMMUNITY RAIL TEAM AT LANCASHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

25th April 2007

Simon Clarke, Station Manager (Lancashire) with Northern Rail is joining Lancashire County Council on secondment as the organisation’s second Community Rail Partnership Officer.
 
Simon, who will take up the post on a full time basis in May, will be responsible for helping to shape and develop the newly established South Fylde Line Community Rail Partnership.  He will also work with the Leeds – Morecambe, and support the East Lancashire and Clitheroe Line Community Rail Partnerships.
 
Steve Butcher, Area Director, Northern Rail said: “We currently have 14 Community Rail Partnerships across our network, which help raise the profile of the routes they cover amongst their local communities improving patronage of rail services.  
 
“We’re delighted to support Simon’s secondment to Lancashire County Council, which we believe is a first for the industry.  Building on the partnership approach Serco-Nedrailways has brought to our franchise, we already work closely with the Council’s transport team to improve rail services and facilities in the area for customers and this move will build on existing good practice.”   
 
Richard Watts, Rail Project Manager, Lancashire County Council added: “Simon brings to the Community Rail team a wealth of experience and knowledge that will be invaluable as the County Council continues to develop its Community Rail strategy.  
Working with existing partnerships Simon will be able to help them achieve their objectives and he will also play a major role in establishing the new South Fylde Line Community Rail Partnership.

“Community Rail forms an important element of the County Council’s rail strategy and all lines in the county will now have a partnership and a Community Rail Partnership office working alongside them.  This is tremendous and we look forward to big developments ahead!”