Mark Thurston is the new CEO for HS2
Posted: 17 February 2017 | | 1 comment
Mark Thurston has been announced as the new Chief Executive of High Speed 2 (HS2).
Mark Thurston has been announced as the new Chief Executive of High Speed 2 (HS2).
Starting his career 30 years ago as an apprentice with Transport for London, Mark had roles within The Nichols Group and Metronet before his current position as CH2M’s managing director of European operations.
On being appointed, Mark said: “I am looking forward to leading the HS2 team and its partners to deliver a railway that will transform connectivity between our major cities and regions.”
Global search
This comes after a five-month global search which reviewed some 20 candidates working on projects in the UK, America, Australia and Asia.
The Chairman of HS2, David Higgins, said: “Mark knows the UK rail industry from the bottom up. His grasp of how to manage the transition from page to reality makes him not only the right person to take over at HS2 as we are on the verge of Royal Assent, but also to see it through the years leading up to the first train being commissioned.”
Mark will start with HS2 in the spring.
I have looked at HS2 and many modern railways and I have come to the conclusion that they are so Prehistoric and Dangerous that it is difficult to believe that so many people in high office want to give backing to a vehicle that hasn’t really changed in 200 years, and to the tune of £56 Billion. Tons of metal hurtling along on metal wheels with metal track cannot equate with the 21st Century especially with a braking system that would send a Ferrari driver straight to the police station if they knew his brakes were that bad and could put many peoples lives at risk.
I believe that very low weight underground carriages with an ozone friendly form of propulsion would be extremely efficient and if designed properly would 1. Put an end to crashes. 2. No disruption to the environment. 3. Be able to move faster than any other land train. 4. Move up and down gradients or maneuver tighter bends. This technology is out there already and used by highly professional organisations but not exploited.
So if there is anyone who either has the technical knowledge or financial backing to Show the world that HS2 is old hat, please send a comment. I will be very interested in your views.