Lobbying for rail line upgrade will continue

Pressing ahead for rail improvements in region

OFFICIALS remain determined to lobby the Government for long-promised improvements to rail links which serve Hinckley.

Letters have been sent to the transport minister and motions tabled at county and regional levels

Politicians across Leicestershire and the East Midlands are all calling for the electrification of the Midland Mainline to be reinstated.

The project, first conceived during the Coalition years, would have upgraded the line from Lon- don to Sheffield, providing cleaner and faster trains.

But the idea was scrapped in July by the Government with plans revealed to introduce bimode intercity trains - a combination of electric and diesel - on the route instead.

Local Liberal Democrats were supported by cross-party colleagues at Leicestershire County Council when debating the issue at a recent meeting.

Councillor Michael Mullaney said: “The Government claims it can’t afford to complete the elec- trification project but still manages to find millions to implement expensive rail projects in London. We can’t allow Leicestershire and the rest of the East Midlands to be left behind. ”

A motion was tabled noting the various benefits of the electrification upgrade, including increased speed, capacity and improved air quality. The electrification upgrade would bring economic, as well as quality of life benefits, to the people of Leicestershire.

The approval of the motion means the county council will continue to press ahead for the project to be realised, working with regional MPs and other councils in the East Midlands.

At a board meeting of the East Midlands Council, members also backed calls for electrification and expressed doubt that the bimode trains would improve journey times or increase capacity.

Cllr Michael Mullaney: added “This is important for everyone in Leicestershire. Putting together a united front will strengthen our hand and put pressure on the Government.”