Fat Controller ‘should be in charge of rail system’s day-to-day operation’

Oversight for the UK’s rail system should be in the hands of a single “Fat Controller”-type figure which is independent of the Government, the head of a major review has reportedly said.

Keith Williams, former chief executive of British Airways, is penning a review of the system and said the body would be “key for regaining public trust”, according to the BBC.

Mr Williams told the broadcaster the role should not be performed by the Department for Transport, adding: “Someone needs to be accountable to the public.”

He said a “Fat Controller” figure, such as the one from Thomas The Tank Engine should be in charge of day-to-day operations, with government involvement limited to overall policy and budget decisions.

The Williams Rail Review was launched last September as a separate investigation into the chaos following a timetable change in May suggested “nobody took charge”.

Findings will be presented in the autumn.