HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : New SRA Chairman Lays Out His Vision for the Railways [December 2001]

The press release issued by the Strategic Rail Authority on 3 December 2001.

Richard Bowker today takes up his post as the new Chairman of the Strategic Rail Authority. He takes over from Sir Alastair Morton, who led the organisation in shadow form from April 1999, and chaired the SRA from its formal establishment in February this year.

On taking up his responsibilities, Richard Bowker said:

“I take over today against a backdrop of a railway that has lost both confidence in itself and the confidence of those who rely upon it to deliver service every day. In particular the present uncertainty over the future of Railtrack requires to be resolved as quickly as possible. My focus will therefore be two fold. First, to restore stability, as well as the confidence that we can, as an industry, deliver the basics safely and effectively, day in, day out. Second, and in parallel, design and implement a vision for the railway that we all want and deserve.

“The Strategic Plan is the starting point of this process. It is well advanced and requires just a little more work to refine it and underwrite its delivery, as well as incorporate my views and aspirations for the railway of the future. It will be published on 14th January 2002. A New Year signifying a new beginning.

“We have first to recognise that the railways of this country exist primarily to serve the needs of passengers and freight users and it is our job at the SRA to show strong leadership and direction in delivering this. It is also essential that we demonstrate an early start to the huge task ahead and I shall be announcing a number of ‘quick wins’, all designed to make the railway deliver more effectively, over the next few weeks and months.

“Tomorrow, I can announce a first step along that road, when, with the Scottish Transport Minister, Wendy Alexander, I shall be starting work on a new rail link for Edinburgh, designed to relieve traffic congestion.

“On Thursday, with the Secretary of State and the Mayor, we will be starting work on the extension of the East London Line.

We shall shortly set out how we intend to take forward the refranchising programme.

“My messages for the four key groups of railway stakeholders are:

For passengers and freight customers – your interests lie at the heart of all we do. It will take time for all the improvements to come through, but we are determined to deliver them. Where we can bring in some ‘quick wins’ to help you, we shall do so.

For local, regional and national government – we are determined to deliver what we have promised – a bigger, better, safer railway capable of playing a larger role in meeting local, regional, national and international transport needs. Our commitment is to the whole of Great Britain, although our responsibility is to say where the priorities should be at any one time.

For the rail industry – the opportunities are huge, and after so many setbacks, this may be our last chance to seize them. We want industry partners with the vision and the willingness to be long term players, and we recognise the need for investors and risk takers to be appropriately rewarded.

For rail staff – I really respect the resilience and dedication of so many who have worked to provide services under difficult conditions. Your role in delivering the new railway is essential, and investment in people has got to go along with investment in new infrastructure or equipment.

“I have taken this job because I passionately believe in the role the railway can and must play in delivering an effective national transport infrastructure. I believe we can rise to the challenge but the atmosphere of division, argument and blame which has characterised relationships in the railway in recent times must be consigned to the history books. Leadership and partnership are the keys. The SRA will take up the leadership challenge, all of us involved in the railways must focus on working to the same common objective. It can be done and I believe we are up to the challenge. The journey back begins in earnest today”.

Notes to Editors:

Biographical Details

Richard Bowker is 35. He joined London Underground Ltd as a graduate finance trainee in 1989. He qualified as a Chartered Management Accountant in 1993.

He moved to financial consultant Babcock and Brown Ltd in 1996 and was seconded to Virgin Rail Group in 1997. In 1999 he helped set up Quasar Associated Ltd, a small asset and project finance advisory business specialising in rail industry commercial and financing work.

Since September 2000 Mr Bowker has been Commercial Director for the Virgin Group of Companies, with specific responsibility for the transport sector of the Group, notably Virgin Rail Group, of which he was Co-Chairman.

Terms of Appointment

Mr Bowker’s appointment as SRA Chairman will be for 5 years. It will be a full time appointment. His basic salary has been agreed as £250,000 per annum with pension and potential for a performance bonus of up to £50,000.

Strategic Rail Authority

The Strategic Rail Authority is a non-departmental public body, established under the Transport Act 2000. It is responsible for:

• Promoting the use of the railway network for the carriage of passengers and goods;
• Securing the development of the railway network; and
• Contributing to the development of an integrated system of transport for passengers and goods.