James Richardson has this week started his role as the new TRU managing director, heading up the North of England’s multi-billion-pound railway programme that will deliver more frequent, faster trains on a more reliable railway, better connecting millions of people across the North, between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York.
James starts at a time when the programme is employing over 5,000 people, with 70 active work sites over 70 miles and the majority of projects now in the design and delivery stage.
As work ramps up this year to deliver a cleaner, greener, faster railway meaning more seats and more services, the programme has already invested over £500 million with local businesses and is recruiting sustainably, with 85% of the workforce living within 40 miles of the route.
James said: “I’m thrilled to be leading a programme of such national and regional importance. In just a few days of being here, the commitment for us to succeed has been clear to me from initial meetings with our talented teams and key stakeholders.
“We’re helping to transform train travel across the North and it’s great to get started.”
Following the electrification of the line between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge last year, 2025 will see another section of the route become fully electrified, with greener services expected between York and Church Fenton by the end of the year.
Another project due for completion this year is the upgrade of Mirfield station, making it fully accessible for the first time and able to facilitate longer trains with enhanced capacity.
The programme will also submit its application for a Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) to government this Summer. This follows a public consultation for works between Stalybridge and Diggle (Saddleworth) held last Autumn. A successful TWAO submission enables the programme to commence work, which includes full electrification, the relocation of Mossley station, and major upgrades of Greenfield station.
James has a wealth of experience in major programmes, his most recent post being Managing Director of the Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture delivering the HS2 London tunnels. Other roles during his time at Skanska included Infrastructure MD and Rail Sector Director.
He also held positions on programmes such as HS1, M25DBFO, Crossrail, Northern Hub, Wessex Capacity Alliance and Thameslink.
Image credit: Network Rail
