Latest news with #MidlandMainline
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Frustration in Sheffield as rail electrification project paused
Sheffield will remain Britain's largest city without electrified rail travel after the government "paused" plans to electrify more of the Midland plans for the northerly section of the route, which runs between Sheffield and London, would be halted as the government focused spending on other transport schemes, the Department for Transport (DfT) Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard said there was "frustration" in the region at the news, adding: "It feels like one step forward and two steps back."The DfT said it would "keep the potential for full electrification of the route under review". The East Midlands route runs from St Pancras in London to Sheffield, with electrification originally expected to be completed in the early far it has seen an upgraded and electrified route from London to next stage from Kettering to Wigston was electrified in 2024, and according to Network Rail it should be ready for both electric and diesel trains to run this summer. Coppard said: "After decades of national underinvestment in our transport network, we're having to wait longer for vital rail improvements that would create jobs, opportunities and economic growth."We were told HS2 would come to Sheffield. That was cancelled."Now electrification of Midland Mainline is being paused. All we're asking for is a fair deal."Andrew Dyson, vice chair of the Yorkshire branch of RailFuture, which campaigns for better services, said the news was "incredibly disappointing" as electrification had been "on and off for so many years".He said: "They've actually got electrification now as far as just south of Leicester, and they're not going to complete the final 50 miles."They say that it's paused but there is no firm date for it restarting, so in effect it's almost cancelled." Dismay at government pause to rail electrification Meanwhile, business representative organisation Sheffield Chamber said it was saddened by the president Alexis Krachai said the change of heart did nothing to build business confidence in those running the country."Government after government has chopped and changed on this plan, and in many ways it's short-changed South Yorkshire when it comes to transport improvements", he plans also affect passengers using Chesterfield, Derby, Leicester and Nottingham. The DfT said: "The next phase of electrification of the Midland Mainline has been paused."Given the existing trains in use on this stretch of railway and the costs and time needed to electrify the route we are focusing our investment on other schemes."We will continue to keep the potential for full electrification of the route under review as part of our plans to decarbonise our railways and as funding becomes available in future." Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Dismay at government pause to Midland Mainline electrification
East Midlands council leaders have said they are dismayed at the government's decision to indefinitely pause the northwards electrification of the Midland London to Sheffield railway line has been upgraded to take electric trains as far as South Wigston in Leicestershire, but the Department for Transport (DfT) confirmed on Tuesday the further extension of the project was on hold.A government spending review said funds would be focused on other transport for the East Midlands (TfEM), which represents 10 councils, said the decision was "very disappointing". It said full electrification of the line was essential to improve intercity rail services between Leicester, Derby, Nottingham, and Sheffield further to the north, by increasing passenger also said the move would cut reliance on diesel-powered trains, reducing carbon emissions. Sir Peter Soulsby, TfEM chair and mayor of Leicester, said: "We are deeply disappointed that the government has yet again paused work on electrifying the Midland Mainline."Electrification is not just a technical upgrade, it is a critical investment in the capacity, reliability and sustainability of our railway. "It reduces carbon emissions, lowers operating costs, and provides the infrastructure that could transform local as well as inter-city rail services across the East Midlands.""The Midland Mainline is now the only mainline route that remains largely non-electrified," Soulsby added."This puts our region at a disadvantage compared to others and undermines the national ambition to deliver a cost-effective, reliable, low-carbon railway." 'Makes no sense' Soulsby said full electrification of the line had been promised by ministers but repeatedly put on hold."Each pause damages confidence, makes delivery more expensive and pushes back the benefits for passengers, freight and the environment," he said TfEM was urging the government to set out a clear, funded timetable for completion of the said full electrification would create up to 4,300 new jobs and boost the economy by tens of millions of Clark, CEO of national rail industry body Rail Forum, said: "Stopping Midland Mainline electrification makes no sense."It is a shovel-ready project that could deliver tangible benefits this parliament. "It's a bad decision for the UK taxpayer and it's a bad decision for users of the Midland Mainline, with several of our larger cities now condemned to using diesel traction for the foreseeable future." A DfT spokesperson said: "Given the existing trains in use on this stretch of railway and the costs and time needed to electrify the route, we are focusing our investment on other schemes over the spending review period. "We will continue to keep the potential for full electrification of the route under review as part of our plans to decarbonise our railways and as funding becomes available in future."
BBC News
14-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Anger after dozens of trees felled along Derbyshire railway line
Residents have described the felling of dozens of trees along a railway line in Derbyshire as "horrifying" and "tragic".Network Rail contractors were ordered to fell the trees for "essential vegetation management" along the Midland Mainline near the village of Higham last residents living nearby told the BBC workers had gone "far and beyond" what they needed to and felled "healthy oak and birch trees".Ward councillor Heather Liggett said: "It's absolutely devastating for the area." Network Rail said the work was needed to ensure the railway could "continue to offer a safe and reliable service" but apologised for the "concern" caused to the Sarah McRow, 56, who co-owns Brackenfield Alpacas nearby, told the BBC Network Rail's contractors had gone "far and beyond" what they needed to do."I just burst into tears. I saw the birds, the thrushes, and it was just heartbreaking," she said."Network Rail sent us a letter saying they were going to carry out the works over the winter period - that's fine the work needs to happen when it causes problems on the railway line. "But do not do it in bird nesting season."Liggett said she first heard about the work when residents were "woken up to chainsaw noises at midnight"."It was just going to be vegetation cutback and the removal of the odd dying tree with ash dieback and the odd dangerous tree - not every single tree for miles with a 30-metre-wide horrifying," she said. Fiona Cropper, 62, lives nearby and said they "knew nothing about it" until after it Cropper said: "Either side of the tracks, as far as you could see, was a beautiful row of green, and suddenly we came back from a weekend away to find everything was gone... it's just tragic. "I was absolutely shocked - we understand the line has to be made safe, but... this is totally excessive; everything has been taken away."Mrs Cropper added they were aware of trees with ash dieback disease which needed to be felled, but there were also "countless oak trees and mature birch" that were chopped down. Tara Scott, infrastructure director for Network Rail in the East Midlands, said: "We take our environmental responsibilities very seriously. "There are clear rules around undertaking essential vegetation management during bird nesting season. "We have a qualified ecologist who makes sure that we observe those rules, and all our teams on site are carefully briefed."This work is needed to make sure that the railway can continue to offer a safe and reliable service to our communities. "We are sorry for the concern it is causing to the local community."
