James Richardson appointed as TRU managing director

James Richardson will oversee the £11bn Transpennine Route Upgrade programme in the new year.

TRU is a railway electrification scheme that aims to improve train connections across the Pennines between York, Leeds, Huddersfield, and Manchester.

When complete, TRU hopes to improve services with up to 15% quicker journeys between York and Manchester. This would be delivered, in part, thanks to the enabling of six fast services every hour between Leeds and Manchester.

Richardson is currently the managing director of the Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture, charged with delivering the HS2 London tunnels.

He has been with Skanska for more than 23 years.

On his appointment to TRU’s managing director, Richardson said: “Leading this ambitious infrastructure programme of national importance is a huge source of pride for me. It will benefit millions of people by improving the connectivity between towns and cities.

“TRU is making fantastic progress and already demonstrating how complex infrastructure can be delivered safely and efficiently.”

Richardson has significant experience working on infrastructure projects, such as HS1, Crossrail, Northern Hub, and Thameslink.

Rob McIntosh, Network Rail’s North West and Central managing director added: “Given the scale of our works – one of the biggest programmes in Europe and carried out on a live railway – I am really happy we’ve appointed a very capable leader who can manage our unique challenges and lead TRU to continued success.”

This summer, TRU opened up the first electric train service operating between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge.