£100m scheme to cut rail journey times

RAIL journey times between Manchester and Liverpool are to be slashed under a £100m plan to electrify the line, the Government has said.

The line from Liverpool Lime Street to Manchester Victoria uses diesel trains and takes nearly 45 minutes.

Proposals outlines by transport minister Sadiq Khan said work would begin immediately and would take about four years to complete.

Work to electrify the line will be combined with other track and signalling improvements to cut journey times from 44 to 30 minutes.

Mr Khan said: “The work begins today to have the world’s oldest intercity line electrified, which is great news all round.

“Electrification will provide quicker, more comfortable journeys for rail passengers and help boost business in these two great cities.

“The government is investing in our railways, boosting the economy and reducing emissions. This £100m scheme will help us achieve all these aims.”

Roger Jones, of the North West Rail Campaign, hailed the scheme as “great news”, but said the improvements should have happened years ago.