THE government is announcing further investment of £317 million to move the TransPennine Upgrade forward, after an earlier commitment last year to spend £589 million on increasing capacity.
However, it emerged in January that the money would not be enough to pay for electrification as well, but today’s additional funding will be enough to wire up the section between York and Church Fenton, the Department for Transport said. It added: ‘Proposals for even more extensive electrification on the route are currently being considered.’
The new funding also includes £69 million funding for the first stage of the Oxford Phase 2 project to improve freight capacity between Southampton, the Midlands and North, and £15 million from the New Stations Fund for new stations at Marsh Barton in Exeter, and White Rose and Thorpe Park in Leeds.
Transport secretary Grant Shapps said: ‘Modernising and upgrading our vital transport links is critical to levelling up every part of this country, unleashing our economy and spreading opportunity.
‘Following closely after our reforms to deliver a modern, green and innovative railway that meets the needs of the nation, this package of £401 million investment will help deliver reliable, punctual services that passengers can count on.’