Women making great strides in their transport careers were recognised last Thursday at a glittering ceremony at the Savoy hotel in London. Among the winners at the FTA Everywoman awards were Network Rail station manager Marion Roberts and London Underground train driver Shauni O’Neill.

In a keynote address at the ceremony Transport Minister Stephen Hammond acknowledged that transport is still a male dominated sector and said he wanted to help tackle the imbalance and any prejudices against women.

“It is absolutely vital that talented women are not denied opportunities in the transport sector,” he said. “Some barriers still need to be addressed and the UK needs to draw on the skills of everyone to ensure the economy can be rebuilt.

“Role models can inspire the next generation in transport and winners of awards like these can become ambassadors for women,” he added.

Marion Roberts, a station manager at London Bridge, was named team leader of the year at the ceremony for her work to help ensure the station functioned well during the Olympics. “Networking with others is a great way to get ahead and I look forward to a busy few years as the station is redeveloped,” she said.

Metropolitan Line tube operator Shauni O’Neill, who became the youngest train driver in the country at the age of 19, was named driver of the year. She is currently waiting to hear about a manager’s role at London Underground. Her advice to other women wanting to enter transport is: “Set yourself a target, achieve it, set yourself another target and achieve that. Above all, keep pushing ahead.”

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