Staff who ‘rise to the challenge’ of running busy station in Lancashire shortlisted for award

The gateline team at Blackpool North Station have been named as finalists in the Station Team Award category at the 2024 RailStaff Awards.

The team provide support and assistance to tens of thousands of customers who use the station during the summer months and respond to a wide range of challenging situations.

They have effectively dealt with a number of anti-social behavior incidents, helped distressed people who were at risk of harm and responded to several medical emergencies.

They have also been praised for rescuing a vulnerable customer who fell onto the track and performing CPR on another who collapsed before paramedics arrived. 

Station manager Mick Elliot said: “They are a really good team that work so well together. There’s a great atmosphere as they’re all friends who look after each other.

“It’s a really busy seaside destination and we have major events going on all year round.

“We’ve also seen a huge rise in the number of people coming through the station in recent years and the number of requests for assistance has doubled since Covid.

“But the team take it all in their stride and rise to the challenge on a daily basis.

“They’re always prepared to do overtime and cover for each other, so they can help out to keep the place running.

“They thoroughly deserve this and it’s an absolute pleasure to manage them.”

The team will find out if they have won during the awards ceremony in Birmingham on Thursday, 28 November. 

Mr Elliot has also been nominated for a Rail Manager of the Year Award at the same awards.

The nomination described him as an “outstanding manager” who “motivates all staff to drive forward and go beyond their normal everyday duties”.

He said: “It’s very flattering that you’re staff think enough of you to put you forward for an award."

Blackpool North station is operated by Northern and used by more than 1.7 million people a year.

Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with 2,500 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.