Paul Salveson: Electric shock for rail routes that missed their connection

But there’s a sting in the tail. Lines which form a core part of the trans-Pennine network – to Hull, Scarborough and Middlesbrough – are not included. Just before Christmas, the Government asked Network Rail to look into the business case for electrifying each of the routes. It seems unlikely that all three will get the go-ahead.

The trans-Pennine Express (TPE) franchise, operated by First and Keolis, covers a network of routes across the North and into Scotland, currently using an all-diesel fleet.

All that is set to change, and the Government has already announced its plans to electrify from Manchester to Liverpool and Blackpool. Manchester Airport, a major TPE hub, is already wired and new electric trains will be operate through to Glasgow and Edinburgh once electrification in the Manchester area is complete.

East from Manchester, TPE operates to Leeds, Hull, York, Scarborough, Middlesbrough and Newcastle. The “core route” between Manchester and Leeds is used by all TPE’s eastbound services, with a pattern of four trains an hour.

The Hull route diverges east of Leeds at Micklefield, while the Scarborough line branches off at York. Middlesbrough trains leave the electrified East Coast Main Line at Northallerton.

The Northern Hu” strategy, supported by the Government, Network Rail and bodies like Metro, would see the core route’s frequency increased from four to six trains an hour, with many services running west from Stalybridge into a re-vamped Manchester Victoria. When completed, the Ordsall Curve (to the west of Salford Central station) would allow trains to continue to Piccadilly and Manchester Airport.

Of the three routes to the east coast currently un-electrified, Hull would seem to have the strongest case. Hull City Council and the neighbouring East Riding Council are working with the business community to ensure Hull gets its electric trains. The Local Enterprise Partnership is strongly supportive and local environmental campaigners are backing the plan.

If the 40 miles of track line from Micklefield to Hull were to be electrified, the short section from Selby to the East Coast Main Line north of Doncaster would make a sensible addition, allowing electric trains to operate from London to Hull. Independent operator Hull Trains currently uses a small fleet of diesel trains whose reliability has been problematic.

The 20 miles of track from Northallerton via Yarm to Middlesbrough should also be a strong candidate for electrification. Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Tom Blenkinsop has raised questions in the House of Commons, expressing concern that Teesside could be left to languish “on a non-electrified branch line”.

Blenkinsop has called for Network Rail to engage with development agencies on Teesside to ensure that the regeneration benefits are fully recognised. Getting the wires to Middlesbrough would help build momentum for electrifying the busy commuter route between Darlington, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Saltburn to create a Teesside electrified network. The main obstacle is Yarm Tunnel, which has restricted clearances.

The route which appears to have the weakest case for electrification is the 42 miles between York and Scarborough. The hourly trans-Pennine Express service to York, Leeds and across the Pennines to Manchester and Liverpool could, however, be replaced by extending the existing Blackpool via Leeds to York service through to Scarborough.

There’s no doubt that politicians and business leaders in Scarborough will be expecting something in return if their route remains diesel-operated.

Improved infrastructure and possibly a half-hourly service between Scarborough and York would be on their shopping list. An improved frequency on the line would strengthen the case for providing new stations between York and Malton at Haxby and Strensall.

So what happens next? Network Rail has been asked by the Department for Transport to look at the business case for electrifying to Middlesbrough, Scarborough and Hull. Humberside and Teesside interests are marshalling their arguments and hoping to convince a Government that appears to be serious about investing in rail to make sure these major conurbations get the benefit of network electrification.

While difficult decisions can be justified by seemingly “objective” studies, the reality is that this will be a political call. Few people in the rail industry were taken in by the additional £500m which the Government has found to build a tunnel under the Chilterns to reduce the “environmental impact” of HS2.

It’s a political sop to appease their supporters. A fraction of that £500m would cover the cost of wiring all of the three routes. Will Ministers do so?

• Dr Paul Salveson MBE is Visiting Professor in Transport and Logistics at the University of Huddersfield and a writer on railways. www.paulsalveson.org.uk