Posted 12th June 2008 | 7 Comments
Kelly support for more rail electrification welcomed by Railway Forum
Ruth Kelly
TRANSPORT secretary Ruth Kelly's support for future rail electrification, which was given in a speech to the Transport Times' Environment Conference, has been applauded by the director general of the Railway Forum.
Her speech followed calls for early decisions on future electrification schemes made by Haydn Abbott, managing director of Angel Trains at a Railway Forum conference on 'choosing sustainable power'.
The apparent change of policy by the Government in respect of further rail electrification has been welcomed by the Railway Forum.
Director general Paul Martin said: "Ruth Kelly is right to say that the business and environmental case for electrification is growing, but when we gave evidence to the House of Commons Select Committee hearing into the Government's strategy for rail, we expressed then our concern that the Government appeared to rule out electrification - certainly in its plans for 2009 - 2014 and beyond.
"Our successful seminar on sustainable power in April heard detailed presentations on the need to start planning now for infill electrification schemes and main line projects such as the Great Western and Midland main lines.
"In particular we must ensure that we have the skilled engineers necessary to undertake this work in a cost effective way."
Ms Kelly said: "In last year's Rail White Paper we rightly prioritised investment for the next five years in a massive increase in carrying capacity so that our railways can continue to meet the huge demand that has made our railway the fastest growing in Europe.
"But looking beyond that I can see great potential for a rolling programme of electrification.
"Electric trains are cheaper to operate than diesels, require less maintenance, and emit between 20 to 35 percent less carbon in today's market. And if the power generation mix becomes less carbon intensive over time, as expected, then the benefits will grow.
She added: "And there are other reasons to consider going electric. Diesel engines - particularly the under floor versions used on many local diesel trains - are set to become more expensive, heavier and more complex to meet new EU standards.
"Electric trains are also zero emission at point of use, improving local air quality. What's more, electric trains can offer additional carrying capacity and improved passenger comfort compared to diesels.
"I believe the business and environmental case for electrification is growing fast. As a result we are going to step up our efforts through a cross-industry working group to re-examine the business case for electrification, explore how costs can be brought down much further and agree priority schemes.
"My aim is for this work to be completed later this year so we can make real progress in laying down our longer-term plans for the railways."
Reader Comments:
Views expressed in submitted comments are that of the author, and not necessarily shared by Railnews.
paul, cumbria, uk
Hang on Robert C - Between 79 and 97 most of the HST fleet was built, all the Sprinter/Pacer DMU's we have today where built, the East Coast Mainline was Electrified the IC225 fleet was built, not to mention the ChannelTunnel! No shortage of investment there! The problem with the Railways is not lack of investment, but strategy and direction. Since Privatisation no one is involved in central planning. The SRA didnt do it, the DfT doesnt do it, the TOC's are just in it for the money and Network Rail are just plain useless! This is the legacy of privatisation. We need an organisation to run the Railway. If it wants to franchise or outsource elements of the operation thats fine so long as it plans and organises things.
Jack Waller, cleethorpes, uk
I think that grimsby/cleethorpes and immingham to doncaster should be electrified because of the high frieght usage and the number of local passanger trains that use that line
John Gilbert, Cradley, Herefordshire, England
So the Politicians and Civil Servants are now facing in the same direction as the experts! At last.... but don't trust them! Only when you see masts being erected and wires being strung will you know that they mean what they say. They will also be judged by how quickly the work starts. None of the usual procrastination, "Serious consideration this year; Feasibility Study next year; More thought the year after; Even more thought the following year. Then, hey presto, a new Government so back to square one!!!!! Fudge, fudge, muddle, muddle. Good old Britain. In the meantime France gets more and more electrification/modernisation and LGVs built.
As to lines to be electrified here; Let's start with the chief in-fills: Manchester Preston-Blazckpool and Leeds-York/Selby. Concurrently start work on either the Midland Main Line or the G.W.R. main line.
But whatever, we judge them by the speed with which things get moving.
Carrick Stonehouse, Tickton Nr Beverley
If they do the electrifacation they had better do Doncaster-Hull and Hull - Scarborough. Beverley needs electric trains. The Class 142s and 150/3/8's which serve the line are noisey i can here them from way outside the station. And hull would really benefit, Class 91's, this would also benefit NXEC as i would be able to have a HST to somewhere else. I think,aswell that they should run a charter using the same rake HT used with 86101 when they had it because it could not get to hull.
Robert C, London, United Kingdom
"Had the railways been totally free from beaurocratic whitehall control..." Blaa, blaa, blaa. This is the usual Tory rubbish and has no bearing on reality. Had the railways been properly funded in 1979-1997 and not subjected to an ill-conceived and disastrous privatisation by Major at the end of it, followed by timorous procrastination and dithering by Labour, electrification would almost certainly have been a priority project. As it is we have had a short-termist quick buck approach which is typical across most of the UK private sector these days. With payback periods running into decades, it is obvious that privately-owned companies would not have undertaken expensive long-term investment like this. Whitehall bureaucrats? What nonsense!
Geoff Rennox, Westhoughton, UK
Had the railways been totally free from beaurocratic whitehall control, energising of vital routes would have been done years ago. One route that is crying out for wires is the Manchester to Preston via Bolton route with an infill via Westhoughton and Crow Nest junction to Wigan. Maybe, just maybe Bolton might just get a direct service to London courtesy of Mr Branson, if this were to happen. That said, Ruth Kelly's words are encouraging, but, look like blatant electioneering to me. Sorry Ruth you still wont get my vote at the next election, and i am one of your constituents.
Roger Fletcher, Stockport, UK
About bloody time!