Electrification of Wigan train line under threat

Rail electrification between Wigan and Bolton could now be at risk

Ministers admitted in response to a written Parliamentary Question from the Labour Party’s shadow transport secretary, Jim McMahon, that £1bn would be cut from the Department for Transport’s Rail Network Enhancement Pipeline fund over the next three years.

The Government is now obliged to publish an updated pipeline as soon as possible and Labour is demanding clarity on the future of improvement schemes.

The pipeline is split into three stages for projects across the UK, from those closest to being built to those in the earlier development and design phase.

Wigan to Bolton electrification is one of more than 20 projects still in the preliminary stages.

Labour has assumed projects in the final stages will be completed but say those in the first two phases are now at risk.

Mr McMahon said: "Ministers have admitted they have no idea which projects might be affected as a result of this cut, which will provide little comfort to people in the North West who rely on these services and were promised improvements.

“This is just another example of broken promises from this government. Ministers must now clarify exactly what this means for individual projects, many of which have already been delayed.”

Labour said places and passengers awaiting improvements need to know if they will go ahead and certainty was required for the workers and firms who will be carrying out the projects.

Rail minister Chris Heaton-Harris told the Transport Select Committee on December 9 that: “we really do not know at this time which projects will be affected”.

Thanks for reading. If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 for your first month. Try us today by clicking here and viewing our offers ..