Cost doubts linger over rail route electrification plans

Rail Minister Theresa Villiers told MPs that the business case for electrifying the Midland main line to enable faster, longer and more frequent trains between Sheffield, Nottingham and London is “impressive” – but warned the project would be “complex and challenging” and “expensive to deliver”.

MPs from across South Yorkshire and the Midlands have been pushing for an upgrade of the line, which is slow and overcrowded compared with other main line services. The Yorkshire Post is calling for the package of works to be approved as part of its ongoing Fair Deal for Yorkshire campaign.

The Government will decide over the coming weeks whether to include the upgrade in its new five-year rail investment plan. If the scheme is rejected there appears little prospect of any major improvements to the line before the end of the decade.

Ms Villiers told the Commons she accepts the economic benefits, but that that these will have to be weighed carefully against competing rail projects across the UK.

“We recognise there is a good case, on economic and financial grounds, for further investment in the Midland main line over and above what we are already committed to,” the Rail Minister said.

“The scale of what can be delivered depends on what is affordable, and on a careful and fair assessment of competing priorities elsewhere on the rail network.”

The Government has said repeatedly that investing in Britain’s railways is a priority, and Yorkshire has benefited from a number of announcements over the past 12 months including significant improvements to the trans-Pennine route between Manchester, Leeds and York, as well as confirmation of the new high speed rail lines.

By contrast, the Midland main line has received little investment so far – but Ms Villiers warned the huge upgrade to electrify the line would not come cheap.

“Although the business case for midland main line electrification does indeed look impressive, there can be no doubt the project would be complex and challenging, and expensive to deliver,” she said.

“Network Rail has estimated the capital cost of electrification alone to be just over £530m.

“Major engineering work would be required. Just to make room for the overhead wires, more than 50 bridges would have to be rebuilt.”

Ms Villiers was speaking in a Commons debate secured by Tory backbencher Nicky Morgan, who highlighted the “huge growth” of passengers using the line.

“Upgrading and electrifying the Midland main line would generate £450m-worth of wider economic benefits,” she said.

“In 10 years the electrification will have paid for itself, and will continue to reduce the cost of rail to the taxpayer year on year.”

Ms Villiers said a decision will be made “by July”.