A WARRINGTON man has become the region's rail watchdog.

Brendan O'Friel, of Barnswood Close, Grappenhall, has been appointed Chairman of the Rail Users' Consultative Committee for the north west of England.

Brendan, aged 57, is already a well known figure in the town. He used to be governor of Risley Prison and is also a non-executive director for Warrington Community Health Care Trust.

His role is to represent passengers. "I attend regular meetings with the rail companies," said Brendan. "It's a way of holding them to account. We protect and take forward the interests of rail users.

"We also act as a 'court of appeal' for customers who are not satisfied with the reply to their complaints and we must be consulted if a station is to be closed."

Brendan says he is looking forward to his new role.

"It's nice to do something different," he says, "and to use my skills to represent passengers.

"We have seen some excellent work already in areas such as the Ribble Valley where a line was re-opened. This shows that things can be achieved."

And he thinks that Warrington's railways can be improved.

"Bank Quay station is a disgrace and Central Station needs a great deal of money spending on it. Also, there is no link between the two. There is a great deal which can be done to improve quality and encourage people to use trains more. We have got to provide better and more public transport. It is the way ahead."

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