James Richardson has been announced as the new managing director of the Transpennine Route Upgrade, the £11bn railway electrification programme that is improving journeys across the Pennines between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York.

Richardson is currently managing director of the Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture delivering the HS2 London tunnels and will take up his post on TRU in the new year.

He 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.”

Richardson’s previous positions at Skanska have included infrastructure MD and rail sector director.

He has many years of experience working in the rail, road and energy industries on programmes including HS1, M25DBFO, Crossrail, Northern Hub, Wessex Capacity Alliance and Thameslink.

This summer TRU awarded contracts of around £3bn with the West and East alliances, and passengers are now benefiting from the first electric train service operating between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge.

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

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.”

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