The Leader of the Opposition and Liberal Democrat Group Leader on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has welcomed a recent speech by Transport Minister Chris Grayling promising: ‘more electrification in and around Manchester, and looking at electrification as part of passenger improvements across the Pennines.’

“Like the Minister I too want to see transport put ‘right at the heart of the Northern Powerhouse,’ stated Councillor Sykes.  “The one sure way to do this is to electrify the trans-Pennine rail link between Leeds and Manchester.  Passengers using Oldham Borough’s only rail station would benefit from this as this link serves Greenfield.”

Councillor Sykes represents Oldham Council on the Transport for Greater Manchester committee.

“Although certain sections of the press have previously reported that the Government has already cancelled plans to electrify the Leeds – Manchester line, this is erroneous; in fact the government has only cancelled proposals to electrify the Sheffield, Windermere and South Wales lines,” said Councillor Sykes.

“My understanding is that the option to electrify the Leeds – Manchester line is still on the table as part of an ongoing bigger review of government spending on rail investment in the north which will be published later in the autumn.  The Minister’s comments have indicated that electrification is still a possibility so we need to continue to put pressure on Ministers to make it so,” he added.

“The Liberal Democrats on Oldham Council and Transport for Greater Manchester want to see a far higher level of investment in the North’s railway infrastructure and rolling stock, which has been neglected for many years,” said Councillor Sykes.  “The one way to improve rail punctuality and efficiency, which is environmentally-friendly, is to replace old smoky diesel trains with new electric trains.”