James Richardson has been named the new managing director for the Transpennine Route Upgrade, a critical infrastructure project.
- Scheduled to start his role in January, Richardson previously held a leadership position at the HS2 London tunnels project.
- The £11bn Transpennine Route Upgrade aims to enhance rail connectivity between York and Manchester.
- The project has made significant headway, with contracts worth £3bn awarded and the first electric train running.
- Rob McIntosh praised Richardson’s capability to lead one of Europe’s most considerable railway projects.
In a strategic appointment, James Richardson has been selected as the new managing director for the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), a crucial infrastructure project under Network Rail. This appointment marks a significant milestone for TRU, an £11 billion effort to enhance rail connectivity between York and Manchester. Richardson, who joins Network Rail in January, previously served as managing director for the joint venture responsible for constructing the HS2 London tunnels.
Richardson expressed immense pride in taking on leadership of such an ambitious programme, noting its importance for nationwide connectivity. The project is set to benefit millions, improving links between key northern cities. TRU recently took a considerable step forward, awarding approximately £3 billion in contracts through its West and East alliances, demonstrating the project’s vast scope and ambition.
The upgrade has reached an operational phase with the commencement of the first electric train service between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge. This advancement is part of the project’s broader objective to improve efficiency and sustainability in transport across this historically vital corridor.
Currently, TRU is fully mobilised, employing around 5,000 individuals across 70 worksites spread over a 70-mile stretch. James Richardson has lauded the progress thus far, emphasizing the safe and efficient delivery of this complex infrastructure. He conveyed eagerness to collaborate with the talented teams driving these developments.
Rob McIntosh, overseeing Network Rail’s northwest and central regions, highlighted that TRU is among the largest ongoing railway schemes in Europe, emphasising the complexity of executing such a project on a live railway. He expressed confidence in Richardson’s leadership, deeming him well-equipped to tackle the multifaceted challenges that lie ahead.
Richardson’s appointment signals a forward-thinking approach to advancing the Transpennine Route Upgrade.
