New rail boss get £84,000 'rise'

The new chief executive of Network Rail (NR) will start on a basic annual salary over £80,000 more than his predecessor.

The not-for-dividend company, which has no shareholders, said former Shell executive Mark Carne, 54, will succeed Sir David Higgins on April 1 next year.

NR said father-of-three Mr Carne would be on a basic annual salary of £675,000. This compares with Sir David's figure of £591,000.

NR has faced constant criticism recently over train punctuality, with repeated warnings by rail regulators about its performance, particularly on long-distance routes.