Residents asked to back campaign to electrify region’s rail routes

RESIDENTS AND businesses in Hull are being asked to support the final push in a long campaign to electrify and upgrade two railway lines out of the city.

Civic leaders say the investment in the lines from Hull to

Selby and Hull to Sheffield could cut journey times from Hull to Leeds from 57 minutes to just 38 minutes, and Hull to Sheffield from 86 minutes to just 50 minutes. The electrification, which would need approval from the Government, will form part of plans to electrify the full

TransPennine route Manchester and Hull.

Hull leaders say upgrading this critical route is important and will mean improved reliability and journey times, as well as being more environmentally friendly. Daren Hale, deputy leader of Hull City Council and Hull’s representative between on Transport for the North Board, said: “The council is confident that a positive decision has never been closer and is within grasp. Our transport officers and I have lobbied at every board meeting that the first phase of development should be from Hull.

“Unlike elsewhere on the

TransPennine routes, work here can start straight away, and would be a quick win.

“Our plans involve few extra land purchases, no tunnel widening, and no re- routing. And now it is our duty to get the support of our fellow local authority and business leaders, to ensure Hull is fast- tracked before the finished plans go forward to Government next spring.”

In July, Transport Secretary Shapps said £ 589m will be used to speed up trains and boost reliability on the 76- mile Transpennine route between Leeds, Manchester and York.