Network Rail Wessex route gets new director

Saturday, December 16, 2023

Mark Goodall has been appointed as the new Route Director for Network Rail Southern region’s Wessex route, a significant and heavily utilized rail network in the UK. This route encompasses all services originating from London Waterloo, one of England’s busiest railway stations.

Mark currently holds the position of Service Delivery Director at CrossCountry, where his primary responsibility is ensuring exceptional service for CrossCountry’s customers. His tenure with Network Rail and various train operators, including West Midlands Trains, Chiltern Railways, and CrossCountry, spans over two decades, during which he has honed his leadership skills.

In his current role, Mark oversees a diverse range of teams, including performance, control, fleet, and engineering. His extensive experience spans freight operations, station management, alliancing, and operational management at both area and director levels. Notably, he played a pivotal role in delivering the May 2023 timetable and maintaining operational resilience during industrial action.

Network Rail’s Wessex route is renowned for its high traffic volume, with over 1,600 trains running every weekday. It encompasses services from London Waterloo, intricate metro services in South West London, and various locations such as Guildford, Portsmouth, Salisbury, and Bournemouth, along with a crucial freight route from Southampton.

Mark expressed his excitement about his appointment, emphasizing the importance of overseeing this critical railway network for both passengers and freight. He believes that his extensive background in the rail industry, including his recent experience with train operators, will be instrumental in shaping future plans for the route, with a focus on delivering reliability and excellence for customers. He also looks forward to collaborating closely with train operators, freight customers, and the dedicated Wessex network colleagues to build on the existing positive foundation.

Ellie Burrows, the Regional Managing Director for Network Rail’s Southern region, expressed her delight in Mark Goodall’s appointment. She highlighted his wealth of experience in the rail industry, encompassing both Network Rail and various train operators. She believes that Mark’s expertise will prove invaluable in enhancing safety, train service performance, and efficiency, ultimately making the Southern region an excellent place for residents, employees, and travelers. She also emphasized Mark’s role in leading the team as they approach the new control period starting in April 2024, with a strong focus on ensuring safe and reliable services for passengers and freight customers while prioritizing passenger satisfaction.

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