NR and operators join forces on GWML action plan
A new supervisory board, chaired by former Iarnród Éireann Chief Executive Dick Fearn, will work to drive improvements on the Great Western Main Line.
Network Rail has teamed up with Great Western Railway and Heathrow Express as part of a plan to meet the companies’ commitment to working closer together in order to improve performance.
The Western Route Supervisory Board features the managing directors of Network Rail’s Western Route (Mark Langman), GWR (Mark Hopwood) and Heathrow Express (Fraser Brown), and Nina Howe from Transport Focus. Fearn will chair the Board independently.
Fearn has 43 years’ experience. Prior to Iarnród Éireann, his earlier roles included divisional director at Network SouthEast, managing director of Southeastern, and zone director for Midlands and North West Railtrack.
His role will be to align action plans, improve joint planning, and drive targets to improve passenger experience. The board will meet every four weeks, with the first meeting taking place next month,
“Building on our new alliance with GWR, we are committed to more improvements to the way we work with GWR and Heathrow Express,” said Langman.
“We can improve day-to-day operational performance for passengers by working closer together, as well as bringing longterm planning for track and trains together to reduce and minimise as much as possible potential disruption.”
Hopwood said: “We have long recognised the importance aligned rail priorities and targets across the rail industry have on improving the service we give customers.”
Brown added: “We operate on a busy patch, and it’s never been more important that we collaborate to ensure we all achieve our objectives. We want customers to feel the benefit of the work Network Rail is doing to modernise the railway so it’s fit for today and the future.”
Transport Focus Chief Executive Anthony Smith said: “I am delighted that Transport Focus is providing the voice of the passenger on the new supervisory board. We have a wealth of experience to bring to help Network Rail stay focused on delivering what rail passengers want.”