‘WE ARE very committed to electrification’ and the Government’s ambition is ‘to do a lot more electrification’, Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris has told the House of Commons Transport Committee. Network Rail Chief Executive Andrew Haines told a briefing to journalists on 15 December that the organisation had submitted a list of first phase ‘no regrets’ schemes to the Department for Transport for approval.
Mr Heaton-Harris was giving evidence to the committee’s ‘Trains fit for the future’ enquiry. He highlighted the significant tranche of electrification projects delivered by the Government, although he caveated the ambition for more by saying ‘there are costs to this’. ‘We want to get to that point where transport is playing and rail is playing its key part in decarbonisation and the Government’s overall strategy, and there’s a lot to be done’ said Mr Heaton-Harris.
Asked if this enthusiasm for electrification is matched by the Treasury, Mr Heaton-Harris said ‘I believe it is’, although he said the Treasury would be anxious to secure value for money for the taxpayer. The minister also highlighted the opportunity to reduce the cost of electrification, learning from experience in other countries.
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