This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/8164070.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 8 Version 9
£1bn plan to electrify rail line £1bn plan to electrify rail line
(about 2 hours later)
A £1bn plan to electrify the main rail route between London and Swansea has been announced by the government.A £1bn plan to electrify the main rail route between London and Swansea has been announced by the government.
A second line between Liverpool and Manchester will also be converted from diesel to electric.A second line between Liverpool and Manchester will also be converted from diesel to electric.
Ministers say electric trains are lighter and more energy efficient, cutting the running cost and environmental impact of train services.Ministers say electric trains are lighter and more energy efficient, cutting the running cost and environmental impact of train services.
The Conservatives welcomed the move but said the government was leaving the taxpayer to foot the bill.The Conservatives welcomed the move but said the government was leaving the taxpayer to foot the bill.
The project will take eight years to complete, with the installation of overhead power lines and demolition of many tunnels and bridges.
Upfront investmentUpfront investment
Transport Secretary Lord Adonis told the BBC the massive investment involved would be worth it.Transport Secretary Lord Adonis told the BBC the massive investment involved would be worth it.
"With the electric trains you get a quieter, cleaner, more reliable and much cheaper train which benefits passengers and it also benefits the taxpayers because it's much cheaper to keep an electric railway going," he said."With the electric trains you get a quieter, cleaner, more reliable and much cheaper train which benefits passengers and it also benefits the taxpayers because it's much cheaper to keep an electric railway going," he said.
Electric trains are quieter, cleaner, more reliable and cheaper, says Lord Adonis
"But you've got to put that upfront investment in. Governments historically have been very averse to making long-term investments."But you've got to put that upfront investment in. Governments historically have been very averse to making long-term investments.
Lord Adonis: "With electric you get a quieter, cleaner, more reliable and much cheaper train"
"We've taken the decision that the right thing for the country is to have an electrified railway across the principal main lines and that's why we're going ahead with electrifying the Great Western Main Line.""We've taken the decision that the right thing for the country is to have an electrified railway across the principal main lines and that's why we're going ahead with electrifying the Great Western Main Line."
He said the investment would pay for itself over a 40-year period and that there would be no impact on fares.He said the investment would pay for itself over a 40-year period and that there would be no impact on fares.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown, at London's Paddington station for the announcement, said improving the rail network was important for the country 'Greener and cleaner'
Prime Minister Gordon Brown, at London's Paddington station for the announcement, said improving the rail network was important for the country.
Electric rail 'boost for service' Minimum disruption promised
"This is the future. It's greener, it's cleaner, it's faster, it's more reliable. It's making the railways fit for the 21st Century and encouraging more passengers to use the railways," he said."This is the future. It's greener, it's cleaner, it's faster, it's more reliable. It's making the railways fit for the 21st Century and encouraging more passengers to use the railways," he said.
Major benefits
The move means an electric version of the new Super Express intercity train unveiled last year will be introduced on the Great Western line.The move means an electric version of the new Super Express intercity train unveiled last year will be introduced on the Great Western line.
The government and rail industry agree electrification will bring major benefits.The government and rail industry agree electrification will bring major benefits.
Electric trains do not carry their own fuel - weighing around six tonnes for a non-electric intercity train - and have lighter engines.Electric trains do not carry their own fuel - weighing around six tonnes for a non-electric intercity train - and have lighter engines.
This makes them more than 35% cheaper to operate than diesel trains, according to the Department for Transport. Network Rail will buy specialist electrification trains capable of automating the installation job.
The electric engines also require less maintenance and the trains are around 20% cheaper to buy.
There are also major environmental benefits as the production of electricity for trains creates up to 35% less carbon than burning the equivalent amount of diesel. The current engines do eight miles per gallon of fuel.
Network Rail will carry out the work and has assured the government that lessons in the installation of overhead power lines have been learnt following a fiasco last year when work on the West Coast Main Line over-ran.
The company says it is buying specialist electrification trains capable of automating the installation job.
'Maxing out'
The Campaign for Better Transport is concerned the investment will lead to an increase in fares but ministers say electrification will mean cost savings in the running of trains.The Campaign for Better Transport is concerned the investment will lead to an increase in fares but ministers say electrification will mean cost savings in the running of trains.
Six tonnes of fuel and eight miles to the gallon: Why diesel trains are being consigned to history 'Transport cuts'
Shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers said: "Yet again Labour are maxing out Network Rail's credit card, leaving the taxpayer to foot the bill.Shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers said: "Yet again Labour are maxing out Network Rail's credit card, leaving the taxpayer to foot the bill.
"After [Business Secretary] Lord Mandelson announced cuts to the transport budget, how can we believe that Labour can announce £1.1bn of new spending without impacting on existing transport commitments or putting further strain on public finances already stretched to breaking point?""After [Business Secretary] Lord Mandelson announced cuts to the transport budget, how can we believe that Labour can announce £1.1bn of new spending without impacting on existing transport commitments or putting further strain on public finances already stretched to breaking point?"
Six tonnes of fuel and eight miles to the gallon: Why diesel trains are being consigned to history
Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker said: "This must be just the start of the project. The Liberal Democrats want virtually the entire network electrified by 2040."Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker said: "This must be just the start of the project. The Liberal Democrats want virtually the entire network electrified by 2040."
The RMT rail union has called for "cast iron" assurances from the government that the decision will not hit jobs at the UK's only train manufacturer, Bombardier.
The Derby-based firm has bid for a contract to build 200 diesel trains, some planned to be used on the Great Western line, against rivals from Spain and China.
The union's general secretary, Bob Crow, said: "RMT welcomes today's announcement on electrification and is calling on the government to do some joined-up thinking and ensure that there is no risk at all to Bombardier from the expected cancellation of diesel orders.
"There is no reason why Bombardier can't produce rolling stock for the electrified lines as well as meeting demand from the overall expansion of rail services and the call to end overcrowding."
League tableLeague table
Britain went through a period of electrification between the 50s and 80s in which two other main lines, the East and West, were converted.Britain went through a period of electrification between the 50s and 80s in which two other main lines, the East and West, were converted.
Many commuter lines into London from the home counties are also electrified, using a third rail system rather than overhead cables.Many commuter lines into London from the home counties are also electrified, using a third rail system rather than overhead cables.
EUROPE'S ELECTRIC RAIL COVER Switzerland: 100%Sweden: 77%Netherlands: 73%Italy: 69%Germany: 56%Spain: 56% UK: 40% Source: UICEUROPE'S ELECTRIC RAIL COVER Switzerland: 100%Sweden: 77%Netherlands: 73%Italy: 69%Germany: 56%Spain: 56% UK: 40% Source: UIC
But Britain still has proportionally less electric railway than most European countries and is below Macedonia in the league table.But Britain still has proportionally less electric railway than most European countries and is below Macedonia in the league table.
The announcement means Wales will have its first stretch of electrified railway.The announcement means Wales will have its first stretch of electrified railway.
Between Manchester and Liverpool a smaller project to electrify the line via Newton-le-Willows has also been given the green light.Between Manchester and Liverpool a smaller project to electrify the line via Newton-le-Willows has also been given the green light.
This will have the added benefit of allowing Transpennine trains between Manchester airport and Glasgow to run on electric power.This will have the added benefit of allowing Transpennine trains between Manchester airport and Glasgow to run on electric power.
The government is still considering electrifying another major diesel route, the Midland Main Line between London and Sheffield, but has not committed the proposal.The government is still considering electrifying another major diesel route, the Midland Main Line between London and Sheffield, but has not committed the proposal.