Heavyweights with the future welfare of Liverpool in their hands
DAVID Henshaw and Neil Scales - chief executives of Liverpool City Council and Merseytravel respectively - are both heavyweights in their fields.
Sir David has helped transform Liverpool into a vibrant, forward-thinking city and council.
He has changed outdated practises and helped mastermind the successful bid for European Capital of Culture.
Mr Scales too has been all about delivery. He persuaded the Government to let Merseyside become the first region in the country to choose its own train operator.
He oversees the most reliable rail service in the country and has persuaded the Government to part with £170m for Merseytram Line One. Another £192m could follow for Line Two.
Any region should be happy to have two such men at the helm apart from one serious drawback - they allegedly do not get on.
There have been no blazing rows or public arguments but the rumours persist of a personality clash between the two, though this is denied by both.
Merseytravel officials are not convinced David Henshaw is a supporter of trams returning to Liverpool, despite his pronouncements to the contrary.
The council was a provisional objector at April's public inquiry into Line One but withdrew at the 11th hour after days of intense negotiations.
Then came the council's bombshell last month that they preferred Line Two to go the airport, just as Merseytravel
prepared to receive final submissions from the remaining bidders on Lines One and Two.
Sir David no doubt has significant concerns about the building of the tram leaving Liverpool looking like a large building site in 2008, at the very time when it should be looking its Sunday best.
Whatever the rights and wrongs, one thing is clear.
These two leading executives are making decisions now which will affect the city and region for generations to come.
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