Industry reaction

In his response to the National Audit Office report, ASLEF General Secretary Mick Whelan accused Chris Grayling of lying.

“This country needs a modern railway and a proper infrastructure fit for the 21st century,” said Whelan.

“It is clear from the conclusions of the National Audit Office investigation that Chris Grayling, the Secretary of State for Transport, lied. The truth is that the Government didn’t want to find the money and made up a story about ‘sudden improvements’ using ‘state of the art bi-mode trains’.

Shadow Transport Secretary Andy McDonald said Labour would electrify the Midland Main Line and the Great Western’s cancelled routes. He said: “This report lays bare the delusional and disastrous decision taken by Chris Grayling last summer. The NAO highlights that Chris Grayling cut rail electrification projects without appropriate alternative technology in place.”

Campaign for Better Transport spokesman Andrew Allen said: “The NAO’s report shows the Government ditched electrification schemes which would have delivered environmental gains and health benefits, using proven technology, to cities and towns along these rail lines. Instead, they plumped for polluting diesel and the vague promise that hydrogen power might be viable in the future.”

Allen said Government should redouble its support for alternative energy sources.

Railway Industry Association Chief Executive Darren Caplan said: “RIA understands why this decision was made, but believes that electrification remains the best option for intensely used railways, due to its environmental benefits, improvement to journey times, and reduction in track wear. It is therefore vital that the Government continues to keep electrification on the table when considering future rail improvements.”

Peter Kennan, Chairman of Transport Forum, Sheffield Chamber of Commerce & Industry, told RAIL: “We all knew when cancellation of electrification schemes was announced that it was caused by government running scared because of Network Rail cost over-runs on Great Western, and because of the Treasury reminding DfT that further borrowing would show up in public sector borrowing figures. We are not sure why it had to be dressed up as something else, but that’s politics.”

He said the primary concerns are now twofold. “Firstly, will there be a dispensation to operate the High Speed Trains until new trains arrive? And secondly, given that the Class 800 and 802s on Great Western seem to be only just maintaining HST timings on diesel power, how can we be assured that a train can be built that equals Meridian performance?”