MPs pledge hard line over electrification link snub
SHEFFIELD Labour MPs are to accelerate demands for the electrification of the line to London after the blow of missing out on a £1.1bn Government programme.
They are "raising the ante" with Transport Minister Lord Adonis in an attempt to secure a promise that Sheffield will be added to the list.
"I expect the Midland Mainline to be electrified in the near future, in the next couple of months, otherwise we'll be very upset," said Attercliffe MP Clive Betts, who has been leading the campaign for the line to be electrified so that faster journey times and better and cleaner trains can be provided.
"We have got everybody else's second hand trains and we don't want to be left behind on electrification. If it is not announced, we are not going to lie down quietly."
The optimism of local MPs was dented last week when the Government announced that the main line between London and Cardiff will be electrified, rather than between the London and Sheffield, although this would remain a priority. Funding was also confirmed for the Liverpool to Manchester line.
Now it is feared that Sheffield and Nottingham will become the only two major cities without an electrified line.
Local politicians and transport managers want to see the section of the line electrified between Bedford and Sheffield, which could knock around 15 minutes off journey times.
Brightside MP David Blunkett said he welcomed the Government's 1.1 bn investment in the transport system but added: "I have written to Andrew Adonis, the Transport Secretary, to say that whilst I am not in any way opposed to expenditure on the London-Swansea electrification programme – and other lines such as Manchester-Liverpool – I am deeply concerned that an announcement has still not been made on the London-Sheffield East Midlands line.
"This does, of course, have the highest density of passenger usage in the country and is the most neglected line in terms of modernisation.
"Along with other Labour MPs – particularly Attercliffe MP Clive Betts, who has been leading on this – I have raised the ante by asking Lord Adonis to urgently review when a decision will be made; that it should be a positive decision; and that it should happen this side of next spring."
The Liberal democrat council said Sheffield had been snubbed again.
Coun Ian Auckland, cabinet member for sustainable transport and streetscene, said: "Once again Sheffield is the last stop when it comes to national transport improvement schemes. While other major cities like Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds already have fast train links to the capital, Labour has left Sheffield as the poor relation."
South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive said it was surprised and disappointed at Lord Adonis' announcement.
Director General David Brown said: "We are now 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 Midland Mainline be included in future electrification plans.
"Electrification of the line to Sheffield and then on to Leeds is vital to improve Yorkshire's link to London and we will be working with the Department of Transport to ensure that there is a good business case for this project."
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Tuesday 07 February 2012
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