CAMPAIGNER Sean Feeney was shocked to see himself referred to as “some dude” in evidence he gave to a major railway inquiry.

Chiltern Railways gave him the moniker when listing online who had submitted evidence to the inquiry into the planned Oxford to Bicester Rail link upgrade.

It has since changed the listing and apologised.

Mr Feeney, who lives in Summertown, Oxford, said: “Referring to me as ‘some dude’ shows a lack of respect, and it also shows a lack of professionalism.

“Any reasonable professional would not have written this.”

Chiltern listed online evidence submitted to the public hearing into Evergreen 3, its planned upgrade of the Oxford to Bicester link.

While others such as Oxford Airport and the Cyclists’ Touring Club were given full titles, 45-year-old Mr Feeney was referred to as ‘some dude’.

Mr Feeney appeared before the inquiry, which began in November, on January 14.

Helen Wilson, a programme officer for the inquiry, wrote to Chiltern Railways saying: “The inspector considers the error to show a lack of proper respect for a party to the inquiry, all the more unfortunate for the public way in which it was made.”

In response Ian Gilder, head of planning for Chiltern, replied: “I apologise unreservedly to Mr Feeney and to the inspector on behalf of Chiltern Railways and Solidblock, our website contractor, for this lapse of judgment.

“No disrespect was intended to Mr Feeney and the error was swiftly rectified.”

Seona Shuttleworth, a spokesman for Chiltern, added: “Chiltern Railways very much regrets the reference to Mr Feeney as part of the public inquiry documentation on its Evergreen 3 website.

“Chiltern takes the management of content on the site very seriously indeed and would like to apologise to Mr Feeney for the oversight.”

Simon Roddis, a partner at Norwich-based Solid Block website designers, declined to comment.

Mr Feeney raised concerns about what effect the rail upgrade would have on nearby countryside, including Oxford’s Port Meadow.

He said: “I’m less bothered about being insulted than about the risk of damage to Port Meadow that I feel Chiltern Railways’ plans could pose.

“This ancient beauty spot is officially one of Europe’s most important habitats.

“Like many other residents, I feel a moral duty to protect this unique world habitat for future generations.”

The Evergreen 3 project would lead to a new Oxford to Marylebone service, via Bicester Town and High Wycombe.

It will mostly upgrade existing lines but will have some new track.

Chiltern Railways hopes the new line will be open by 2013 if it is passed by the inspector.

It could also be used for the proposed East-West rail link restoring a direct rail route between Oxford and Cambridge, via Milton Keynes.