Northern Rail’s Manchester Stations Team recognised at National Rail Awards

Northern Rail’s Manchester Stations Team has been recognised for its visibility, support and assistance to passengers during the disturbances in Manchester’s city centre last August.

The team were announced as winners in the Judges’ Special Award category at this year’s National Rail Awards after they showed the best of the railway spirit under incredibly difficult and dangerous circumstances.

Although managing crowds of people comes naturally to the tight knit team, judges recognised the extraordinary challenge presented to them when rioting and looting broke out on the streets of Manchester last year.

As both tram and bus services were suspended throughout the city, the Northern team made sure passengers kept on the move. It was vital their employees were safe so that not only were Manchester commuters guaranteed to make it home in one piece, but the team could ensure they could provide a service the following morning when the dust had settled.

Judges commented: “The team showed incredible courage and resilience – protecting staff, providing passengers with safe havens and a means of getting out of dangerous situations back to their homes, and working round the clock to make sure that railway services were back to normal as quickly as possible. They were ordinary people, but with a dedication and sense of duty that was extraordinary. They went beyond any normal expectation of teamwork and we honour their exceptional contribution to the railway and its passengers.”

Paul Spencer, Stations Delivery Manager added: “It’s an honour to be recognised for doing what we do best – keeping Manchester moving. The experience was unforgettable but we stayed strong and embraced the challenge. Seeing passengers safely on the train home and hearing them say a relieved thank you made it more than worth it.”

The National Rail Awards ceremony was held at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane on Thursday 21 September.