‘Betrayal’ claim after electric lines plan cut

THE Government has scrapped plans to electrify three major railway lines in a move described by Labour as a “betrayal” of train passengers.

Chris Grayling, the Transport Secretary, announced plans for new trains, which can run on both electricity and diesel, to operate on the Midland Main Line, Great Western Main Line and in the Lake District.

The Department for Transport said the introduction of so-called “bi-mode” trains meant that long-awaited electrification works between Cardiff and Swansea, Kettering, Nottingham and Sheffield, and between Windermere and Oxenholme, were no longer needed.

Andy Mcdonald, the shadow transport secretary, criticised the decision and accused the Government of “taking people for a ride”.

The DFT said the modern trains, which can switch from electric to diesel mid-journey, will be used on the Great Western and Midland Main lines, with passengers in Wales benefiting from new Intercity Express trains, which will each deliver more than 130 extra seats and faster services. Long-distance journey times from Nottingham and Sheffield will be reduced by up to 20 minutes, with the train operator in the Lake District beginning work to trial an alternative-fuelled train, it said.

Mr Grayling said: “Passengers expect and deserve high-quality rail services and we are committed to using the best available technology for each part of the network, delivering significant benefits for those who use our railways.”

But Mr Mcdonald said the decision, announced on the last day of Parliament before the summer recess, would leave rail passengers worse off and that ministers had been promising the electrification of the Great Western Mainline from Paddington to Swansea since 2012. He said: “The cancellation of works means passengers will be denied the faster, greener, more reliable train journeys they were promised, and South Wales will miss out on the economic activity that improved rail services delivers.”

“The decision betrays a promise to South Wales, and the Transport Secretary sneaking out the news on the final day before he goes on his summer holidays adds insult to injury.”