The £5.5bn congestion-busting Thameslink upgrade is to get a new programme director. Network Rail announced on 10 June that it was promoting Jim Crawford to take over from Andy Mitchell, who is to take a similar role on the Crossrail project.

Mr Crawford is currently the programme director for the £3.5billionn signalling, power and communications national programme. He takes over on July 20th.

Simon Kirby, director of infrastructure investment at Network Rail commented: ‘Jim Crawford will bring determination and leadership to this vital project. Work has already begun on sites such as Blackfriars and Farringdon and the pace of construction is set to quicken.

‘Passengers will soon see the benefits of more trains, more seats and better journeys. Jim will play a key role in improving the passenger experience of millions of people in London and the south east.’

Jim Crawford added: “This is a fabulous opportunity and one that I am honoured to take on. Thameslink is a crucial and complex project that will test the best of Network Rail’s talents. The prize is great – quadrupling the potential capacity on this key cross-London route and transforming commuter journeys.’

Jim Crawford has worked on the railway since 1994 as a consultant working for Turner & Townsend. He holds a BA in management systems and a BSc in quantity surveying ­ he is a RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) member

In 1997 he was working for London North Eastern infrastructure projects and headed up the multi £million refurbishment of Grade I listed Newcastle station. From 2000 to 2002 he took over the Leeds First project and delivered this £200million scheme.

From 2002 to 2004 he headed up the upgrade to the cross country route. From 2004 to the present he became project director of projects for signalling, telecoms, electrification and plant. In Control Period 3 this amounted to £2.5billion of projects and in CP4 £3.5billion.

Mr Crawford, 43, is married with two children.