• Electrification

  • Electrification on the Great Western from London to Oxford, Newbury, Bristol and Cardiff

    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 and faster journeys

    Electric trains have more seats compared to 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 than diesels. They require less maintenance and have lower energy costs. Electric trains are lighter and do less damage to the track helping create a more reliable railway for passengers.

     

    Better for the environment

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