“It is essential that we invest in our railways now and over the longer term. This is the biggest electrification programme for a generation and a vital part of our rail investment and carbon reduction strategies. It will be of huge benefit to passengers who will gain from faster, cleaner and more reliable trains".
Lord Adonis, Transport Secretary
23rd July 2009

Network Rail welcomes Government support for wide-scale electrification programme

NETWORK Rail has welcomed the Government’s announcement that it will support a £1.1 billion rolling programme of rail electrification, starting with the Great Western main line between London, Cardiff and Swansea and the Liverpool to Manchester route.

The Great Western scheme will include the wires going up on the routes to Oxford and Newbury but electrification of the Midland main line – a contender for many years – is not included in the current announcement.

Network Rail’s chief executive Iain Coucher said: "Today is a good start, but there is much further to go.

"Network Rail has been pushing for electrification for a long time. Indeed in 2007 – along with the Association of Train Operating Companies – we urged the Department for Transport to take the issue seriously.

Network Rail will deliver the schemes announced today. Passengers will soon reap the benefits that electrified lines bring – quieter and smoother rides on trains that cause less wear and tear to the track, trains that are more reliable and often faster.

Also, further electrification will also help open up more diversionary routes so that we can keep people on trains and off buses as we carry out planned rail improvement work."

Prime Minister Gordon Brown and transport secretary Lord Adonis unveiled the plans for the first major electrification programme since the late 1980s – when the East Coast route was electrified – at Paddington station before travelling to Cardiff for a Cabinet meeting.

Mr Brown said: “To build a better Britain, we must be bold, innovative and forward-looking and invest with confidence in our country’s transport infrastructure, jobs and industry. This electrification programme is vital to building a 21st century transport system.”

Lord Adonis said: “It is essential that we invest in our railways now and over the longer term. This is the biggest electrification programme for a generation and a vital part of our rail investment and carbon reduction strategies. It will be of huge benefit to passengers who will gain from faster, cleaner and more reliable trains.

Electrification of the Great Western main line will bring significant new strategic opportunities for developing rail services. In particular it would be possible to run Crossrail services west of the existing proposed terminus at Maidenhead, through to Reading.

I look forward to discussing with the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, the potential for developing new services and integrating these major Crossrail and electrification programmes".

Railnews

23rd July 2009