Thierry Mignauw will bring to Central Railway a wealth of experience, having held most of the senior positions within the SNCF most notably as a joint chief executive of the SNCF Main Board.
Commenting on his appointment, Thierry Mignauw, said:"In the same way that in the 1970's the TGV brought about a veritable revolution for passenger railways, it is my view that the Central Railway line and dedicated lorries-on-trains service will play a major part in the next revolution in rail transport. Central Railway will breathe new life into rail freight in the same way that the TGV concept revitalised passenger railways."
"The SNCF wishes to play its full part in the future of pan-European rail networks and the Central Railway project would constitute the vanguard of a European-wide network of efficient freight lines."
"Central Railway's figures make sense and getting lorries off the roads and on to rail seems to me to be a laudable and worthwhile goal, not only from an environmental but also from an economic perspective."
Central Railway's Chairman, Andrew Gritten, said:"Central Railway is an international project and this appointment demonstrates our determination to develop the project on this basis. Thierry's experience and expertise is extremely valuable."
Notes for Editors:-
Thierry Mignauw, 51, has held a number of senior positions within SNCF including: Regional Director, SNCF Northern France Region (1992-96); Managing Director, SNCF Main Lines (1996-97); Director General, Passenger Services (1997-98); Director General, Operations (1998-99); and Member of the Executive Committee of the Main SNCF Board (1997-2000). -
He is currently Special Adviser to the SNCF President, Louis Gallois. He is also Chairman of CDG Express, a joint venture which is planning to build an express rail link between Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and central Paris. -
Central Railway is proposing to design, build and operate a new lorries-on-trains rail link connecting the North West to northern France. The line will run from Liverpool, via Manchester, Sheffield, the Midlands and London, through the Channel Tunnel to Lille in Northern France. -
While the railway will be primarily for freight, it will be open to all freight and passenger operators. In constructing the new line it is intended that a majority of the route will involve upgrading and reinstating existing or disused railways. The railway will create a unique link into Europe as the only railway able to carry standard European freight and passenger trains (as well as any UK train) and standard road haulage equipment. -
Independent estimates have indicated that Central Railway will generate some 5000 construction jobs alone over the five years of building. In addition, about 2000 permanent new railway jobs will be generated. Early studies have suggested that a further 6000 jobs will be created as a result of the improved transport links the railway would provide.