Shaw keeps the trains running to time on Britain’s first high-speed railway

It’s now ten years since parts of High Speed 1 became operational, and nearly four years since domestic services started using the line. An opportune moment, therefore, for taking stock of developments, and seeing what the future holds in store. John W E Helm spoke to the line’s chief executive, Nicola Shaw

20 September 2013

Nicola Shaw joined HS1 from FirstGroup where she was director of the European bus division from 2005 to 2010

AS THE debate about the Government’s high-speed rail plans rumbles on, it’s easy to forget that Britain already has a high-speed line – High Speed 1. The southern section of the 68-mile double-track line from London to the Channel Tunnel was completed in September 2003, followed by the northern section through to London St Pancras in November 2007. International Eurostar passenger services used the line from the start, but Southeastern’s domestic ‘Javelin’...