NR sets up Wales Route Supervisory Board
The Wales Route Supervisory Board has been set up by Network Rail.
To be independently chaired by Margaret Llewellyn OBE, it is the third such board to be formed, following those for the Western and London North Eastern Routes.
NR and Arriva Trains Wales will be represented on this board, along with the Welsh Government and Transport Focus. Like the other boards, it is designed to hold the industry to account.
Llewellyn has experience in tourism, shipping and the rail industry, and is a non-executive director at Cardiff Airport. She has won the Welsh Woman of the Year for management achievement, and was awarded the OBE in 2004 for services to economic development of Wales.
Andy Thomas, NR’s Wales Route Managing Director, said: “The board will work together with one voice to best represent customers in Wales and the borders, driving improvements and holding the industry to account. This new Supervisory Board is the next step in our journey to bring track and train closer together.”
Llewellyn said: “The Supervisory Board, by working in partnership with the Welsh Government, Transport for Wales and the rail operators, aims to be the mechanism to create economic growth for both business and tourism throughout Wales.”
Economy and Infrastructure Secretary Ken Skates said: “Our vision is for a modern, efficient rail service to deliver considerable service improvements for passengers throughout Wales. Closer working between key transport partners and ensuring that passengers sit at the heart of the next franchise, the Welsh Government’s first, is of paramount importance to us.”
Transport Focus Chief Executive Anthony Smith said: “Passengers in Wales tell us their top priorities for improvement are more seats and more space to deal with overcrowding, a more punctual and reliable service, and new trains. We will be using our research to help Network Rail and train companies stay focused on delivering what rail passengers really want.”