Minister promises Yorkshire a better railway

Lord O’Neill said he shared the “frustration” of those angered by the decision to put the electrification on hold but promised action was being taken to solve problems at Network Rail.

The Treasury Minister was responding to a letter signed by Yorkshire business leaders as part of The Yorkshire Post’s Back on Track campaign.

The campaign is calling on Ministers to reinstate plans to electrify the north transpennine and Midland Main Line routes and to set out a clear timetable for their delivery.

Lord O’Neill wrote: “Rebalancing the economy is a fundamental part of the government’s economic plan, with investment in transport infrastructure a crucial means of achieving this.”

He said new Network Rail chairman Sir Peter Hendy would put its investment plans on a “sustainable footing”.

“In the meantime, the government remains fully committed to providing a 21st century railway to connect up Yorkshire and the north more generally, and is considering all options for delivering on this ambition,” he added.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin announced in June that the electrification plans would be put on hold amid concerns about Network Rail’s management of its investment programme.

Sir Peter’s proposals are expected in the autumn.