HOPES of electrifying the line from Hull to Temple Hirst Junction, south of Selby, have been quietly scrapped by the Department for Transport.
In a separate development, it appears that, for the time being at least, the electrification of the Midland Main Line will extend from Bedford to Corby, but it is unclear whether the 2019 timescale will be met.
In a letter to local MPs, rail minister Paul Maynard said that because Hull Trains has ordered five Hitachi bi-mode trains, the “passenger benefits can be delivered without the significant disruption of electrification”.
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Hull Trains’ original proposal, costed three years ago at around £100million for the 70 miles of electrification, was that it would be partly financed by a contribution from the Humber Local Enterprise Board, along with a private sector loan. The DfT says there is no longer any benefit to justify the investment.
Hull North MP Diana Johnson said: “It is absolutely disgraceful that the Government has turned down Hull line electrification despite private money being available. There appears to be no problem finding money for the Garden Bridge in London.”
Read more in December’s issue of The RM
