Yorkshire rail routes prioritised for electrification

THE electrification of six rail routes in Yorkshire should be a ‘top priority’, the Transport Secretary has been told.

A task force, led by Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones, has prioritised 12 routes across the North which have been presented in a report to the Government.

They are: 

Leeds to York via Harrogate

Calder Valley (Full)

Selby to Hull

Sheffield to Doncaster/Wakefield Westgate (Dearne Valley)

Sheffield (Meadowhall) to Leeds via Barnsley / Castleford & connections

Northallerton to Middlesbrough 

Liverpool to Manchester via Warrington Central

Southport/Kirkby to Salford Crescent

Chester to Stockport

Bolton to Clitheroe

Hazel Grove to Buxton

Warrington to Chester

The task force said it put economic growth and connectivity “at the heart” of their considerations as part of the emerging ‘Northern Powerhouse’ concept.

Accordingly three core criteria were agreed: economic benefits; impact on services, costs and environment; and providing better train capacity and quality.

Mr Jones said: “It is a comprehensive report detailing where we think the priorities lie for rail electrification in the north. We have placed economic growth at the heart of this project and been working on the premise that all the lines of the north would be electrified, it is only a question of when. This report details where it should start.

“The work has been a real team effort. The task force has brought together different political parties, different regions of the north and different tiers of government. It is a report from the north for the north.

“The need for rail electrification is significant. It is part of the improvements in infrastructure that we need in the north. We know how much there is to do and to do it we are looking at a task of generational scale. Indeed, this report is intended to look years ahead.

“It has been great to chair this Taskforce, as we have worked so well together to produce an important report for directing future investment. I look forward to seeing the next steps on our recommendations because the north needs a rail network that is expanded and efficient, and electrification is key to achieving that.”

Welcoming the report Mr McLoughlin said: “Between 2014 and 2019 more than £38bn is being spent to improve and maintain our national rail network as part of the government’s long term economic plan. Electrification of the railways is a key part of that investment programme, with work underway across the North, the Midlands, and into South Wales. The electrification programme is central to our ambitious plans to transform the rail network across the country. It will enable the modern fleet of electric trains to run on the network, providing faster and more reliable journeys.

“I am grateful to the members of the task force for their work. I want to see a rolling plan for further electrification and this study will have a vital part to play in setting the agenda for 2019 and beyond. Network Rail will take the task force’s findings into account as it develops its nationwide plan to improve the nation’s railways.”

Harrogate Chamber’s chief executive Brian Dunsby said: “This is absolutely excellent news for everyone concerned, and the result of extensive hard work and campaigning over many years.

“Improving the rail service with electrification will make an enormous difference to Harrogate. As well as modern rolling stock, which is something we have needed for many years, we will benefit from increased frequency, shorter journey times, and services earlier in the morning and later in the evening, seven days a week.

“Obviously, this is very good news for local people, but importantly it is also a significant development for the local economy. As a town reliant on visitors, for both business and leisure, we need to have first class public transport services to encourage as many people to come to Harrogate as possible.

“This announcement is the beginning of the process of bringing Harrogate’s rail services into the 21st century. Combined with the new direct services to London, which were announced in November by the new East Coast franchisee, Virgin-Stagecoach, it will make travel to and from Harrogate a much easier, more convenient and more enjoyable experience for everyone.”