Minister reveals plan to shunt every diesel train from the tracks by 2040

EVERY diesel train in Britain should be scrapped by 2040, the railways minister will announce today, amid plans to drastically cut pollution on Britain’s rail network.

Jo Johnson will call on rail companies to follow the automotive industry by switching to alternative fuels and battery technology.

However, MPS last night warned that the costs of the overhaul must not mean higher ticket prices.

Last night the Department for Transport was unable to confirm who would pay for the upgrade, but a spokesman suggested the majority of the costs would fall on rail firms.

In his first major speech, Mr Johnson will signal his ambition to introduce a fleet of environmentally friendly hydrogen trains. The first is expected to be trialled by Arriva as early as 2021, on the line passing Lake Windermere. He will tell rail firms that the industry’s efforts to modernise has been “palpably slow” compared with other transport sectors.

It comes after a crackdown on diesel engines in recent months, following reports that the fuel is significantly more harmful than petrol and can increase the risk of respiratory problems and cancer.

The majority of trains in the UK are still fitted with diesel engines, despite considerable shifts away from the technology in the car industry.

Speaking at the British Museum, Mr Johnson will say: “I would like to see us take all diesel-only trains off the track by 2040. If that seems like an ambitious goal, it should be and I make no apology for that.

“We’re committed to ending the sale of petrol and diesel cars by 2040. If we can achieve that, then why can’t the railway aspire to a similar objective?

“This Government is now injecting record levels of investment in the railway to help it grow further. But alongside increased funding, the industry also needs to modernise. Compared with other transport sectors, progress has been palpably slow.

“Today I am calling on the railway to provide a vision for how it will decarbonise. And I expect the industry to report back by the autumn.”

While firms will be initially encouraged to switch to alternative fuels as a means of meeting the target, Mr Johnson will push for greater investment in battery technology.

The Daily Telegraph understands that Mr Johnson and colleagues are keen to promote the technology as a cheaper alternative to electrifying lines, an option which is becoming increasingly expensive to pursue.

Less than half of the network is currently electrified, with the Government last year forced to scrap a £500 million scheme between Yorkshire and London.

Meanwhile, Alstom, the world’s leading producer of hydrogen trains, is already in talks with operators about bringing the technology to the UK.