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  • Electrification

  • Overhead line electrification

    Future plans

    Electrifying key routes on the railway will mean faster, greener, quieter and more reliable journeys for thousands of passengers.

    The Government is committed to investing in a programme of electrification that will help transform the railway and provide Britain with a sustainable world-class transport system.

    Electrifying key railway routes will improve services for thousands of passengers and help support economic growth across many of our cities and towns. It will mean faster and quieter journeys with more seats on trains and improved reliability on some of the busiest routes.

    We are working closely with the Department for Transport, train operating companies and other key stakeholders to deliver electrification in the North West and on the Great Western Main Line.

  • More seats, faster journeys

    Electric trains have more seats than diesel trains of the same length. Journey time savings can be made due to the superior performance of electric traction.

    Reduced costs

    Electric trains are cheaper to operate, require less maintenance and have lower energy costs than diesels. They're lighter and do less damage to the track helping create a more reliable railway.
     

    Better for the environment

    Electric trains emits circa 20-35% less carbon per passenger than a diesel train. With zero emissions at the point of use, they  improve air quality in pollution hot spots such as city centres and main line stations. Electric trains are quieter than diesels and are virtually silent when waiting at stations.

    Electrifying the Great Western ►

    We're electrifying one of Britain's oldest and busiest railways, providing better connections for towns and cities across southern England and South Wales.
     

    Electrification in the north ►

    Find out about the electrification of around 300 km of track between Liverpool, Manchester, Preston, Blackpool and Leeds.