THE Chancellor has told the House of Commons that a number of major railway upgrades have survived the government's spending review. Crossrail is to go ahead, as expected, but electrification will also be carried out between Manchester, Liverpool and Preston.

Other rail projects surviving the axe include the expansion of Midland Metro, the modernisation of Tyne & Wear Metro, and upgrades on London Underground.

However, nothing has been said about main line electrification, despite rumours that the Midland Main Line was poised to replace the Great Western Main Line at the top of the list.

The Chancellor said he had only announced some of the projects, and that more details would follow.

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