Rail electrification scrapped in "betrayal of passengers"

The government has scrapped the planned electrification of railway lines in Wales, the Midlands and the North in a statement sneaked out today. The Department for Transport has claimed that planned electrification works between Cardiff and Swansea, Kettering, Nottingham and Sheffield, and Windermere and Oxenholme will no longer be needed due to the introduction of new trains. Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Secretary Jenny Randerson commented: "This decision is a betrayal of passengers across the country who would have benefited from these upgraded routes. "The Liberal Democrats secured vital investment for rail electrification when in government. "That was then delayed by the Tories and now has been scrapped altogether. "Much-needed infrastructure investment is being neglected because of this government's obsession with an extreme and damaging Brexit."

The government has scrapped the planned electrification of railway lines in Wales, the Midlands and the North in a statement sneaked out today. The Department for Transport has claimed that planned electrification works between Cardiff and Swansea, Kettering, Nottingham and Sheffield, and Windermere and Oxenholme will no longer be needed due to the introduction of new trains. Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Secretary Jenny Randerson commented: "This decision is a betrayal of passengers across the country who would have benefited from these upgraded routes. "The Liberal Democrats secured vital investment for rail electrification when in government. "That was then delayed by the Tories and now has been scrapped altogether. "Much-needed infrastructure investment is being neglected because of this government's obsession with an extreme and damaging Brexit."