Electric railways spark excitement

Rail travel will eventually get easier for Oldhamers as plans are laid to electrify the world’s first inter-city passenger line.

Bringing power to George Stephenson’s 180-year-old Manchester to Liverpool line will mean that passengers will be able to catch an electric-powered tram in Oldham and travel to Manchester Piccadilly to catch electric-powered trains, not only to Merseyside, but also all the way to Scotland.

Work will start immediately on both railways and is scheduled to be completed within four years — two years after trams come to Oldham.

However, Oldhamers will have to cope without trains from October when the Rochdale to Manchester loop-line shuts down for two years so work can begin on Metrolink.

Transport Minister Sadiq Khan was at Piccadilly early this morning as the Government announced the major programme of modernisation and investment to help create a 21st century railway, improve passenger journeys, cut carbon emissions and boost the economy.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Transport Secretary Lord Adonis unveiled £1.1bn plans for the first big electrification of the rail network since the late 1980s, for Manchester to Liverpool and also London to Swansea.

It will have the added bonus of opening up Manchester Airport to electric services from Glasgow and Edinburgh. More than a million passengers used the Manchester-Liverpool railway last year.

Mr Brown said: “To build a better Britain, we must be bold, innovative and forward-looking and invest with confidence in our country’s transport infrastructure, jobs and industry.

“This electrification programme is vital to building a 21st century transport system.”

Lord Adonis added: “It is essential that we invest in our railways now and over the longer term. This is the biggest electrification programme for a generation and a vital part of our rail investment and carbon reduction strategy. It will be of huge benefit to passengers who will gain from faster, cleaner and more reliable trains.

“Electrification of the Liverpool to Manchester line also makes possible the through-running of electric trains from Manchester Airport and Manchester to Scotland.

“At present, these services are diesel because the last stretch of line into Manchester is not electrified. This will be a major strategic benefit to passengers in the north of England and Scotland.”

The Government will, in the coming months, consider the case for further electrification, particularly in respect of the Midland Main Line (between London, Derby, Nottingham and Sheffield) and routes between Manchester and Preston and Liverpool and Preston.

Network Rail chief executive Iain Coucher said: “Today is a good start, but there is much further to go.

“Network Rail has been pushing for electrification for a long time.”