Tunnel chief is rail watchdog
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE MAN who put together the pounds 8.6bn deal to save the Channel Tunnel project from financial ruin has been hand-picked by his former boss to get Britain's trains running on time.
Mike Grant, former head of Treasury at Eurotunnel, will today be named chief executive of the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA). He will report directly to Sir Alastair Morton, SRA chairman, who was co-chairman at Eurotunnel during its financial restructuring. Sir Alastair once described Mr Grant as having "a backbone and a heart of steel".
Mr Grant will be in charge of enforcing the franchise terms of the 25 train operators, and will be responsible for negotiating new extended franchises for successful operators.
He will not officially take up the post until legislative time is found to create the SRA. In the meantime he will head the Passenger Rail Franchising office.
As franchising director Mr Grant, 45, will be responsible for getting rail companies to improve performance after recent poor punctuality and reliability.
The post carries a salary of pounds 150,000 a year. Mr Grant, a Liverpudlian, is currently deputy property director at Railtrack.
In its advertisement, the Government said it was looking for "a tough leader who understands the management of large contracts and the art of hard negotiation".
His appointment completes the "spring clean" of rail being carried out by John Prescott, the Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Secretary. Mr Prescott last week named Tom Winsor, a City lawyer, as the rail regulator to oversee Railtrack.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments