The
regional
managing
director

at
Network
Rail
Wales
&
Western
has
resigned,
after
a
prolonged
delay
on
the
approaches
to
London
Paddington
left
passengers
stranded
in
blacked-out
trains.

Michelle
Handforth
is
stepping
down
but
will
continue
to
work
on
certain
projects
until
her
successor
is
appointed.

An
incident
near
Paddington
on
7
December
damaged
the
OHLE,
disrupting
Great
Western
Railway,
Heathrow
Express
and
TfL
Elizabeth
Line
services.
Passengers
complained
that
they
were
trapped
in
stalled
trains
for
more
than
three
hours
and
received
no
explanations
from
staff
during
the
hold-up.

The
Office
of
Rail
and
Road
had
already
launched
an
investigation
into
performance
on
Wales
&
Western,
saying
that
it
had
continued
to
deteriorate
while
it
had
stabilised
elsewhere.

It
is
reported
that
Ms
Handforth
had
already
decided
to
leave
before
the
incident
on
7
December,
but
this
has
yet
to
be
confirmed.

In
a
letter
to
staff,
she
said:
‘It’s
been
a
real
privilege
to
work
with
you
all
through
the
highs
and
lows
of
the
past
couple
of
years,
and
while
this
decision
is
a
real
wrench
to
me,
I
believe
it
is
the
right
one
for
me,
my
family
and
the
business.

‘It
has
been
such
an
honour
to
lead
this
region
since
joining
the
business
in
August
2020.
Over
that
time
we
have
faced
an
incredible
range
of
challenges,
but
your
support,
friendship
and
good
humour
has
been
consistent
throughout.

’I
am
extremely
proud
of
the
achievements
we
have
made
together
and
while
times
feel
tough
right
now,
I
know
that
a
bright
future
for
Wales
and
Western
lies
ahead.’