Electric line snub shock
POLITICIANS and transport chiefs have reacted with disappointment after the Sheffield to London railway line was left out of a £1.1 billion Government plan announced this week to electrify high speed lines.
But the proposals, recommended by Network Rail, remain on the table and the ministers will look again at the scheme in the coming months.
Electric trains are wanted on the Midland Main Line because they are faster and greener, producing less carbon dioxide emissions than diesels.
The latest lines to be upgraded are between London and Swansea and Manchester and Liverpool.
Brightside MP David Blunkett said: "I have written to Lord Adonis, the Transport Secretary, to say that I am deeply concerned that an announcement has still not been made on the Sheffield to London line."
Sheffield Council cabinet member for transport Coun Ian Auckland, said: "Once again, Sheffield is the last stop when it comes to national transport improvement schemes."
South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive director general, David Brown, said: "We are seeking a meeting with the Department of Transport to understand the reason for this decision and, also to be clear on how we can help the line be included in future electrification plans."
Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat leader and Sheffield Hallam MP Nick Clegg indicated his party was becoming less keen on separate proposals to build a replacement, dedicated high speed route between Sheffield and the capital.
The line, which could form part of plans for a new high speed network proposed by Labour and the Tories, must go "hand in glove" with new motorway charges, Mr Clegg said.
The Lib Dems would introduce a "pay per mile" lorry charging regime, which would varying according to emissions.
Mr Clegg said that financing for a high speed link should also "entirely depend" on savings elsewhere and finding private money.
He added he is jettisoning many of the Liberal Democrats' long-standing pledges to convince voters they would make the deep spending cuts needed to fill the hole in the public finances.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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