Media centre

Thursday 14 Jul 2005

NEW DIRECTOR FOR SCOTLAND

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

Network Rail today announced that Ron McAulay has been appointed to the newly-created post of Director, Scotland. The new Director will oversee all Network Rail’s activities in Scotland and act as the senior contact with the Scottish Executive.  He will report directly to Network Rail’s Deputy Chief Executive, Iain Coucher. The creation of the new Director’s post follows last year’s Railway Act, which devolved responsibilities for specifying railway outputs and enhancements to the Scottish Executive. Announcing Ron McAulay as the new Director, Scotland, Iain Coucher said: “A new Network Rail Director for Scotland is a reflection of the enhanced powers the Scottish Executive has since the passage of the Railways Act 2005.  I welcome Ron McAulay to the role.  In his time with Network Rail to date, he has established a strong and constructive working relationship with the Scottish Executive.  Ron is ambitious for the future of Scotland’s railway and relishes this opportunity to lead Network Rail’s efforts towards delivering the railway the Scottish people deserve.” Ron McAulay has spent the past two years as Route Director in Scotland, managing the day to day operations of Scotland’s rail network.  He said: “I am delighted to be the new Director, Scotland, and I look forward to working even more closely with the Scottish Executive and the new Transport Agency.  “Along with our rail industry partners, we have already committed to an extensive programme of new projects and major enhancements.  Their success depends on everyone in the rail industry working together.  This is an exciting time for the railway in Scotland and I look forward to leading Network Rail’s activities here, working towards the delivery of the safe, reliable and efficient railway to which we all aspire.”