Midland Main Line: Government announces potential breakthrough on electrification

Added by Love Business East Midlands | 19 September 2020

UPDATED: 12 October 2020

Midlands Connect Director Maria Machancoses has welcomed news that the government is for the first time in 3 years looking again at electrifying the Midland Main Line.

Maria called the news a ‘massive boost for the region’ and a key step towards a ‘Midlands rail revolution’ allowing us to be better connected whilst decarbonising the network sooner. 

In the House of Commons yesterday, for the first time, the Government stated to Nottingham North MP Alex Morris MP that:

“Further electrification of the midland main line is currently at an early stage, but it is being examined by Network Rail.” 

The plan to electrify the route was shelved in 2017 and instead electrification was currently planned go as far as Market Harborough, and ‘bi-mode’ trains will run on electricity for part of the route before switching to less green diesel. 

Midlands Connect has worked with local businesses, The East Midlands Chamber and local MPs to continue to make the case for this critical part of national infrastructure. 

Commenting, Midlands Connect Director Maria Machancoses said:

“I’m cautiously optimistic but this could be a massive boost for the region. 

“We are currently talking to Government to give us the green light and jump aboard the Midlands Rail revolution. For the upcoming Budget, Midlands Connect are proposing a package of proposals that could really put turbochargers on the Midlands Engine. My message to government is back a package of schemes that could place the Midlands at the vanguard of the UK’s transition to a better connected, decarbonised and rebalanced economy. 

“There are still lots of hard work to be done, including finding a way to electrify under the low bridge at Leicester station, but I welcome the news that Network Rail is being allowed to un-pause its design work.” 
 

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