Third time lucky - for some?

Network Rail is again recruiting for new Public Members.

Once selected the winning candidates join the 180 Public Members of Network Rail tasked with:

• Receiving the annual report and accounts
• Attending the company's annual general meeting
• Approving the appointment or re-appointment of Network Rail's directors and auditors.

The very fact that these august individuals receive the square root of bugger-all by way of renumeration should give some idea of the esteem in which they are held and their importance to NR corporate governance.

In the past Network Rail has ensured that Public Members remain maleable by ensuring that anyone from the "awkward squad" is swiftly knocked out of the running. Thus long standing railway expert, analyst and commentator Roger Ford has been turned down twice for membership - even before interview stage.

The Fact Compiler for one will be pushing him to reapply, but what betting Sir Shambles McAllister and the DafT monkeys spike Captain Deltics application for a third time?