Professor Stephen Glaister CBE has been reappointed as the chair of the Office of Rail and Road - the UK’s independent rail regulator and strategic roads monitor for England (ORR) - until December 2017.
Prof Stephen Glaister (CBE FICE FTRF FCGI) - Wow.
Emeritus Professor of transport and infrastructure at Imperial College, London, Professor Glaister has been chair of the ORR since January 2016.
Making the announcement today, transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: 'I am confident that Professor Glaister will continue to bring leadership to the ORR as we consider the broader shape and structure of the rail industry and ensure Highways England delivers efficiently on its roads programme.
'Stephen’s wealth of experience will ensure that ORR continues to protect the interests of rail and road users, delivering value for money for taxpayers and for funders.'
The ORR is accountable to parliament and has monitoring oversight of the rail industry. For roads it has a different brief and is charged with ensuring that Highways England carries out its investment programme on England’s strategic road network effectively.
Professor Glaister said: 'The ORR has made great strides this year in progressing the safety, value and performance of railways and roads, for today and for the future. In my first six months I have also been hugely impressed by the calibre and commitment of the ORR’s staff. I am very pleased to be asked to extend my term for a further year which I feel is an acknowledgement of the progress we are making.
His appointment will run until 31 December 2017.
