In response to last week’s Government announcement that upgrading the electrification of the Midland Main Line would be paused, rail industry bodies have today, Monday, 14th July, written to Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill CBE urging the government to reconsider its decision.

The letter to Lord Hendy from the Rail Forum and the Railway Industry Association (RIA) highlights that the cost to taxpayers of keeping this key rail enhancement under review would be between £50m and £70m. It would also risk nearly £400m in economic benefits and the creation of nearly 5,000 jobs.

Elaine Clark OBE, Chief Executive of Rail Forum commented that it is extremely disappointed at the Government’s decision to pause Midland Main Line electrification, as it is a decision that will have a direct impact on supply chain businesses now.

There is a risk of losing highly-skilled individuals and jobs from the sector, which will ultimately add to costs for future electrification projects.

Although the forum’s members have welcomed recent announcements and confirmation of other projects, stopping the Midland Main Line electrification has caused widespread concern and makes no sense.

With the project being shovel-ready, tangible benefits could be achieved within the timeframe of this parliament, unlike other projects that are unlikely to even get off the starting blocks

Along with likely demobilisation/remobilisation costs, Rail Frum believes it’s a bad decision for the UK taxpayer and a bad decision for users of the Midland Main Line, with several of our larger cities now condemned to using diesel traction for the foreseeable future. In addition, it doesn’t demonstrate the whole system thinking that is core to the Government’s agenda of bringing track and train together through rail reform.

The latest section of the Midland Mainline to be authorised by the Office of Rail and Road for operation of electric trains is between Kettering in Northamptonshire and Wigston in Leicestershire, where the infrastructure was finally completed in July 2024.

“Railway suppliers, whilst welcoming some of the recent Government announcements about rail schemes in the June Spending Review, will be concerned about this unexpected decision to pause electrification of the Midland Main Line, and keep it under review. This decision will delay the benefits of the project and undermine regional economic growth in the Midlands, as well as cost taxpayers money and threaten thousands of jobs.”

“The decision threatens to continue a boom-and-bust approach to rail electrification in the UK, and is clearly a worry for the many businesses which have delivered the previous phases of the scheme on time and on budget. And it demonstrates a lack of whole-system thinking, inhibiting operational performance and revenue growth as well as providing further uncertainty for the rolling stock supply chain.”

“So we urge the Rail Minister Lord Hendy to consider, to ensure this is only a short pause so work can commence promptly within the next year. And we restate our offer to convene a cross-industry group to develop a decarbonisation strategy and resourcing plan. This would confirm the minimum additional electrification to deliver Net Zero for passengers and freight by 2050.”

Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Railway Industry Association