Politicians and business leaders are urging the Government to electrify the Midland Main Line, to boost the economy, tackle congestion and protect the environment. An electric train service from London to the East Midlands and Sheffield could boost the regions’ economies by up to £19 million per year, campaigners will tell Transport Secretary Lord Adonis.

The campaign is led by the East Midlands Regional Assembly, the East Midlands Development Agency (emda), the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport and the Sheffield City Region. EMRA chairman Councillor David Parsons and Sheffield MP Clive Betts, chair of the Parliamentary Midland Main Line Group, are inviting MPs, council and business leaders to a reception at Westminster on December 15th, to outline their case. Transport Secretary Lord Adonis and East Midlands Minister Phil Hope have been invited.

Electrifying the Midland Main Line would:

The campaigners stress that they still want ongoing improvements in the line before electrification takes place and say that, longer term, the region must be included in a future High Speed link.

Cllr Parsons said: “We are urging Lord Adonis to electrify the Midland Main Line now. Network Rail believes that the case for electrifying the Midland Main Line is extremely strong. We think that the Government would get a massive return on its investment – a stronger economy, less congestion and reduced carbon emissions. I know that Lord Adonis is interested in long term investment in high speed rail links – but electrifying the Midland Main Line would be a quick win for everybody and complement any future developments.”

Dr Bryan Jackson, Chairman of East Midlands Development Agency (emda) said: “There is a strong economic case for the electrification of the Midland Main Line. It would not only benefit the East Midlands, which is projected to have the fastest growing population of any region in England over the next 25 years, it would also support business growth and profitability. We continue to work closely with our partners to present the evidence to Government, in order to ensure prioritisation of this important infrastructure investment.”

David Brown, South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive Director General, said: “The case for investing in rail services to the East Midlands and Yorkshire is overwhelming. For the past two decades, we have seen huge investment in both the East Coast and West Coast Main Lines. It is time to address the Midland Main Line and deliver the improvements that are vital for the Midlands and the North. Electrification between Bedford and Sheffield would produce net savings for the railway industry, not costs, over the investment’s 60-year life, as well as quicker, smoother, cleaner journeys. But it is important that this shouldn’t mean that ongoing work to improve journey times should be held up and it should not mean that the region is excluded from a future High Speed network.”

Earlier this year, Network Rail studied the feasibility of electrifying all 169 miles of the Midland Main Line from London to Swinton, north of Sheffield. The section between London St Pancras and Bedford is already electrified for London commuter trains.

The study found that the case for electrifying the whole route was “extremely strong.” It said that, if funding was approved now, work to raise bridges could start in 2012 and electrification work could start in 2013. It would enable new electric trains to replace the 30-year-old diesel high speed trains.

Thanks,
Staff at South Yorkshire Transport