A new managing director has been appointed to lead a multi-billion-pound railway electrification scheme.

James Richardson, who is currently a managing director of the Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture delivering the HS2 London tunnels, will take on the role of Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) managing director in the new year.

The TRU is a 'multi-billion' railway electrification project aimed at improving services across the North of England.

Mr 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.

"I can’t wait to get started working with such talented teams and individuals in order to see that continue to develop."

Mr Richardson has held various senior posts in the rail, road, and energy industries, including infrastructure managing director and rail sector director, and has worked on major programmes including HS1, Crossrail, and Thameslink.

The TRU, which is expected to cost around £11 billion, aims to deliver a reliable electric railway for passengers, support economic growth, and invest in local businesses, with £500 million donated so far.

This summer, contracts worth around £3 billion were awarded with the West and East alliances, and the first electric train service between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge is already in operation.

The programme, which employs 5,000 people, is fully mobilised with 70 worksites across 70 miles, from York to Manchester.

Rob McIntosh, Network Rail’s North West and Central managing director, said: "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."

The TRU has set a target of awarding 600 apprenticeships and delivering 25,000 hours of volunteering in the community and is committed to engaging with over 100,000 young people through an education scheme.

The programme also aims to provide step-free access at stations across the route, with more services and 'faster, cleaner, greener trains.'

It is hoped that this will remove up to 2,000 lorries a day from the roads.

When the TRU is complete, the objective is to halve the time lost to delays on fast trans-Pennine services, with journeys between York and Manchester up to 15 per cent quicker on more reliable electric trains.