Some of the weaknesses of the new company’s governance were seen in 2008 When significant overruns on maintenance work left hundreds of thousands of traveler stranded over the New Year holidays. Governing members complained that management was not really accountable to anyone. ‘There is a democratic deficit’,wrote Lord Berkely, a member represesnting the rail freight industry, He called for a new board with fewer ‘governors’. Who would have wider powers to supervise management. Further complaints were that members had conflicting interests: those Drawn from the traveling public wanted low fares and improved services; employee representatives wanted better wages and employment terms; while those representing the public interest wanted lower subsidies from taxpayers. In 2009, the chief executive, lain Coucher, was said to be the highest paid public official in Britain, with remuneration of over 1 million. In his defence, it was argued that Network Rail was independent of the state-although others pointed out that the company was publicly funded. Highlighting a turnaround is safety and punctuality, Coucher said:’My priorities are to drive futher a culture of safety, to get even better value for money for the British people and to be more attuned to the needs of customers. I want people to associate these words with Network Rail: transparent, accountable, and responsive.’