CRAVEN Herald columnist Colin Speakman has been honoured by the Sheila McKechnie Foundation.

Colin Speakman, 73, received a Transport Campaigner Award at the House of Lords on Monday.

It was presented by Zac Goldsmith MP at the foundation’s 10th anniversary celebrations.

Mr Speakman, founder secretary of the Yorkshire Dales Society, has been at the forefront of the introduction of Dales Rail, which combined the provision of trains with integrated bus connections, and the development of the Dalesbus network with a focus on improving Sunday services.

Mr Speakman, who lives in Ilkley, said: "Campaigning is about giving a voice to many thousands, perhaps millions, of people whose views and needs are too often ignored by decision makers. Transport decisions are frequently made by people who rarely use public transport, especially bus services, who cannot imagine what life is like when a local bus service is withdrawn or curtailed.

"In the Yorkshire Dales we have been able to move from campaigning to delivering, through a social enterprise, the Yorkshire Dales Society’s Dales & Bowland Community Interest Company. It has become the best integrated public transport network in any UK national park.

"In an age of cruel austerity, we still have much to do to protect services for local communities and visitors."

Linda Butcher, SMK’s chief executive, said: "Sheila McKechnie was a campaigning force of nature - one of the most eloquent and effective campaigners of her generation. She stood up against inequality wherever she saw and heard it, campaigning to create lasting change throughout her life.

"The SMK Campaigner Awards provide us with a unique opportunity to recognise and thank some of the inspiring, innovative and often courageous people who are speaking out to effect change."