PROFESSOR ANDREW McNAUGHTON, chief engineer of Network Rail, has been seconded to the new High speed 2 company for 12 months, where he will lead Network Rail’s contribution to development of the second high speed line project.

Supported by other Network Rail staff also on secondment, his contribution will be pivotal to the making of recommendations to the Department for Transport within the 12-month timeframe announced by transport secretary Geoff Hoon.

Professor McNaughton will lead the specification of infrastructure and train design, operation and maintenance for the new line, as well as helping to determine its likely route and connection and integration into an expanding network.

With a wide experience of operations, engineering and business management gained during his 35-year railway career, Professor McNaughton has led Network Rail’s engineering for the past six years, and has more recently been influential in shaping thinking on UK and mainland European rail development.

Jerry England, Network Rail’s director of civil engineering, will take over as director of engineering. He joined the company just over a year ago following a career in asset management, which included senior roles in the Highways Agency and at Thames Water.

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