Hull let down again on rail electrification

Hull North MP Diana Johnson has responded to today's announcement by the Transport Secretary Patrick Mcloughlin about the 'unpausing' of rail upgrade schemes.

The decision means that work promised before the General Election to improve rail routes in many parts of the Midlands and the North, that was 'paused' in June, will now restart - albeit with further years of delay.

However, the Selby to Hull section of the Transpennine route is still not included in the electrification plans. The Transport Secretary has stated in the media an aspiration for this work to happen by 2024 - nine years into the future.

Hull North MP Diana Johnson said: "Today's statement from the Transport Secretary leaves us no further forward in getting rail electrification between Selby and Hull, even though First Hull Trains developed a plan two years ago to fund the upgrade with private money.

"With Hull Trains also recently pledging to improve their rolling stock for the 2020s, it's disappointing that Hull has still not had a similar commitment from the Government.

"There is a vague and conditional aspiration from the Transport Secretary to achieve Hull's rail electrification by 2024 but this is far short of a firm commitment. Meanwhile, recent figures showed that government spending on transport infrastructure is still heavily biased in favour of London - and against the North.

"Hull's regeneration as the energy estuary needs improved rail links both across the Pennines and to the South. The Transport Secretary talks about the 'great cities of the North', but in Hull it feels more like we're the forgotten city."