Sir Edward Garnier, MP for Harborough, has welcomed today’s news that the electrification of the Midland Mainline rail route will resume with immediate effect under a plan announced by Network Rail and Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin.
Sir Peter Hendy, the Chairman of Network Rail, has written to the Transport Secretary outlining how work on the Midland Mainline rail route could continue. The Transport Secretary has replied to Sir Peter asking Network Rail to resume this work immediately.
Under the new plan, Network Rail will recommence work to electrify the Midland Mainline – the vital long-distance corridor serving the UK’s industrial heartland. Sir Peter is proposing that line-speed and capacity-improvement works already in hand are added to, with electrification of the line north of Bedford to Kettering and Corby by 2019 and the line North of Kettering to Leicester, Derby/Nottingham and Sheffield by 2023.
People in Harborough will soon be benefiting from the Government’s massive investment in rail, including the straightening of the line near Market Harborough to increase train speeds and the lengthening of Market Harborough’s platforms to enable longer trains to use the station.
The total programme of rail electrification and upgrades will completely transform the railways for passengers in the Midlands and help ensure that every part of Britain benefits from a growing economy.
Edward Garnier commented:
‘This is good news for the people of Harborough and its neighbouring areas and shows that the Government’s decision temporarily to stop the programme has provided the space to develop a better plan for passengers, delivering more services and faster journeys.
‘Today’s announcement is a demonstration of the Conservative’s approach to public transport and other infrastructure projects, making sure that every part of Britain benefits from our growing economy.