Community Rail Cumbria is delighted to welcome Eddie Pollock as the new Chairman for the Cumbrian Coast Line Community Rail Partnership.
As a long-standing member of the Partnership, Eddie has represented Direct Rail Services who have been an influential and supportive partner for many years. Eddie’s personal interest and passion for Community Rail has helped the Partnership explore new ideas and opportunities.
Dawn McGough, Community Rail Manager said “We are really excited by this appointment and the Community Rail Team is looking forward to working with Eddie to drive new projects and community involvement along the line from Carlisle to Barrow. Our former Chairman, Laurence Hilland, greatly influenced the current success of the Partnership and is a hard act to follow but we believe Eddie is the right person for the job. His extensive knowledge of both the railway industry and our communities puts him in an excellent position to lead the Partnership forward.”
Eddie’s career with the railway spans over 30 years starting out as a young guard on passenger and freight trains. He was thrilled to move on to become a train driver, a job he loved dearly for over 20 years. Recently, his role within Direct Rail Services has evolved from Projects Planner to Business Development Manager. Eddie’s incredible array of experience, business acumen and desire to help people are ideal attributes to enable the CRP to grow and flourish.
Eddie commented, “I’m a passionate Cumbrian who loves the whole of our glorious county from its industrial heritage to the cutting edge as UK leader in all things nuclear. From the coast and sea, through the fells, across the fields and into the woods – we are so fortunate to live in such an abundant county. Cumbrians and visitors alike deserve a modern, reliable railway to be proud of and a railway that brings friends and communities together. I’ll be building on the fantastic work already achieved by our wonderful Community Rail Team and am really looking forward to being part of the CRP’s future.”
Tim Owen, Chairman of the Furness Line and Lakes Line Community Rail Partnerships said, “I am delighted that Eddie is taking on the role of steering the Cumbrian Coast Line CRP through the next phase of its important work. Community Rail and its network of partners can make so much difference to the success of a line such as the Cumbrian Coast and Eddie has all the necessary experience and enthusiasm to maximise the line’s potential. I very much look forward to working with Eddie in the future.”
Northern’s Director of Stakeholder and Community Engagement, Carolyn Watson, commented, “We’re proud supporters of community rail and the Cumbrian Coast Line CRP and our congratulations go to Eddie on his appointment. He’s been an integral member of the partnership to date, helping it build broader community links, and as Chair, Eddie will no doubt help it go from strength to strength. We look forward to continuing to work with him and the team.”
County Councillor Keith Little said: “Eddie is a strong appointment to this important role and will ensure the Community Rail Partnership continues to reflect the value of integrating the railway with our local communities. I look forward to supporting Eddie and the team with their excellent work.”
Community Rail Cumbria comprises three accredited Community Rail Partnerships representing the Cumbrian Coast Line, the Furness Line and the Lakes Line. The team was proud to receive recognition for their Outstanding Contribution to Community Rail in 2017. Supported by over 100 volunteers and a variety of business partners across the county, the team focus on putting rail at the heart of driving economic and social growth.