Mr Hope said:
“I met with Chris Mole today because as Minister for the
East Midlands, I know how important it is to the region’s economy
that electrification of the Midland Main Line happens.
“The case for electrification is compelling. Faster journey times
will lead to better access to the whole region, creating inward
investment that will in turn see our businesses grow and thrive and
create more jobs in the East Midlands.
“There is too, the massive environmental impact electrification
would bring. Cleaner, greener trains will reduce traffic congestion on
the region’s major roads and help us reduce our carbon emissions
to ensure we continue to do our bit for the environment.
“As champion of the region in Government, it is my job to ensure
that the message from the East Midlands is heard loud and clear –
we want a main railway line that can match this region’s growth
and ambition.
“I will continue to work with my friends and partners in the East
Midlands to ensure that we continue to make the excellent case on
behalf of the whole region and move closer to making electrification a
reality.”
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Mole said:
“In July the Government pledged £1.1billion for the
UK’s biggest rail electrification programme for a generation. We
are looking intensively at the costs and benefits of electrifying the
Midland Main Line.”
Yesterday, Network Rail unveiled the findings of a year-long study, which
found that a plan to expand the electrified network would increase capacity
and improve journeys while reducing costs and carbon emissions.
And the study concluded that electrification of the Midlands Mainline
– the main route from London St Pancras to Derby, Nottingham and
Sheffield – had an “extremely attractive” business
case.
Benefits from the introduction of electric trains include:
-
50 percent cheaper to run electric trains and diesel
equivalents
-
33 percent cheaper to maintain
-
Electric trains are 90 percent more reliable (21,000 miles per
break-down compared to 11,000 on average for diesels)
-
Electrification can pay for itself with cost savings outweighing
the up-front investment
-
Up to 30 percent less CO2
The publication of the study – the network-wide route utilisation
strategy on electrification – comes after extensive consultation,
said Network Rail.
The strategy forms part of a long-term plan being drawn up by Network Rail,
with industry partners, to meet the rising demand for passenger and freight
services.
Contacts
Tim Walsh, Press Secretary to the Minister for the East Midlands
Tel: 0115 971 4740
Mobile: 07876 148638
Email: tim.walsh@goem.gsi.gov.uk
