Department for Transport

Chairman of the Midlands Rail Passengers Committee
_______________________________________________________________

date 27 Apr 2004 00:00
source Department for Transport
type Press release

Transport Minister Kim Howells today announced the reappointment of Phil Davis, as Chairman of the Midlands Rail Passengers Committee

Phil Davis will head the body that represents the interests of rail passengers in the Midlands for a further four years.

Announcing the appointment Kim Howells said:

"I am pleased to announce that Phil Davis has been appointed for a further term as Chairman. For the past four years he has done much to enhance the role of the Midlands Committee, for which I am grateful. I am pleased that this re-appointment will give him the chance to continue this good work."

Notes to Editors:

1. Biographical details

Phil Davis lives in Telford. Following a successful period as Chairman of the Midlands RPC since December 1999, Phil Davis has been re-appointed to the post for a further 4 years. He is also Leader of Telford and Wrekin Council and has previously held the post as Chairman of the West Midlands Regional Assembly.

This appointment will run for four years until 31 March 2008. The post attracts a salary of 17,860 per annum.

2. The Rail Passengers Council/Committees

Rail Passenger Committee Chairmen also become members of the Rail Passengers Council, the national railway passengers' watchdog.

The Rail Passengers Council and the eight regional Rail Passengers Committees were set up under the Railways Act 1993. Under provisions in the Transport Act 2000 sponsorship of the Rail Passenger Council and the Rail Passenger Committees transferred to the Strategic Rail Authority.

The Secretary of State for the Department for Transport appoints the Chairmen of the Rail Passenger Committees in England and Wales.

Rail Passenger Committees operate as watchdogs for users of Britain's rail service. Rail users who do not receive a satisfactory response to their complaint from a train operator can contact the appropriate RPC which is able to take up the matter on their behalf.

In the case of closures of services or stations, the Rail Passenger Committees have the power to hold public hearings; they can report on possible hardships and propose amendments to alleviate them.

The Rail Passenger Committees can also consider any matter, which is referred to them by the Secretary of State and the Strategic Rail Authority, as well as any matter affecting the railway that they feel they should look into.

The address of the RPC Midlands is:

6th Floor
MacLaren Building
35 Dale End
Birmingham B4 7LN
Phone 0121 212 2133
Fax 0121 236 6945
E-mail info.midlands@railpassengers.org.uk

The Rail Passengers Council and Committees website can be found at www.railpassengers.org.uk.

Public Enquiries: 020 7944 8300
Department for Transport Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk

Railhub Archive ::: 2004-04-27 DfT-001