Yesterday's announcement by the Department for Transport of £200 million to electrify three lines totalling 57 miles of railway in North West England is 'good news' says CILT.
Steve Agg, Chief Executive of The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in the UK (CILT) said: 'There is a revival in rail travel in Britain and while it certainly won't solve all the rail congestion issues in the region, this planned £200 million investment is good news for passengers and should bring a welcome capacity boost for North West England's transport network which suffers from heavy congestion.
'However, the government and rail industry must also ensure additional provision is made for freight trains whenever and wherever possible as a result of this electrification.'
The Government's decision to press ahead with these so-called 'infill' electrification schemes on busy routes in the North West should bring significant benefits to the railway and its passengers in the region.
Journeys on the three routes should be faster and cleaner with lower emissions. The benefits can also be spread elsewhere as it also potentially allows train companies to divert diesel rolling-stock to lengthen passenger trains on other routes thereby providing additional capacity.