Campaigners urged to make rail case

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones was speaking after MPs representing constituencies along the line from Leeds to Harrogate and York met the consultants asked to work on the project and North Yorkshire County Council.

Mr Jones, a former parliamentary private secretary in the Department for Transport, said: “The Government has committed to the biggest period of rail investment since the Victorian era.

“It has already committed to electrifying 880 miles of track, including the transpennine route, so we know that the Government will support a well argued case.

With rising passenger numbers and overcrowded trains, electrification would significantly increase capacity on this line and bring new rolling stock too.

“We will not see our railway line electrified, however, unless we can demonstrate there is a good business case to do so, a business case that shows a return on investment for taxpayers’ money. I think we can do that, indeed we must do that to give ourselves a chance.

“The stronger the case we put forward, the better chance we will have, and that is why I have been urging everyone to contribute.”

The Harrogate Line Supporters Group has mounted a longrunning campaigning for the route to be electrified as a crucial step towards improving services.

Consultancy WSP UK has been appointed to put together a detailed proposal on the costs and benefits of electrification to help convince Ministers the project should be prioritised when funding for further rail improvements becomes available.