James Richardson has commenced his role as the new Managing Director of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), spearheading the multi-billion-pound programme to transform rail travel across the North of England.
The TRU aims to deliver faster, more frequent, and more reliable train services, significantly improving connectivity between major Northern cities including Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds, and York.
Mr Richardson joins the project at a crucial time, with over 5,000 people employed across 70 active work sites spanning 70 miles. The programme is now largely in the design and delivery phase, with significant work ramping up this year to deliver a modernised, greener railway.
The TRU has already injected over £500 million into local businesses and is committed to sustainable recruitment, with 85% of its workforce residing within 40 miles of the route.
“I’m thrilled to be leading a programme of such national and regional importance,” said Mr Richardson. “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 successful electrification of the line between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge last year, 2025 will see further electrification, with greener services expected between York and Church Fenton by the end of the year.
This year will also see the completion of the upgraded Mirfield station, which will become fully accessible and capable of accommodating longer trains.
The TRU is set to submit its Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) application to the government this summer, following a public consultation on works between Stalybridge and Diggle (Saddleworth). A successful TWAO submission will pave the way for full electrification, the relocation of Mossley station, and major upgrades to Greenfield station.
Mr Richardson has already undertaken site visits, beginning at the TRU Rose Lane compound in Church Fenton, followed by a train cab ride to Huddersfield to observe active work sites. He also toured Huddersfield station and met with teams at the HD1 office compound, the Hillhouse sidings site, and the signals team at Route Operational Control in York.
Mr Richardson brings extensive experience from major infrastructure projects, most recently serving as Managing Director of the Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture, delivering the HS2 London tunnels. His previous roles at Skanska included Infrastructure MD and Rail Sector Director, and he has also worked on projects such as HS1, M25DBFO, Crossrail, Northern Hub, Wessex Capacity Alliance, and Thameslink.
