Caldervale Electrification - not any time soon

Friday, 7 February 2014

In January, the HebWeb reported that Northern Rail that trains will not run on the new 'Todmorden Curve' track until December, confirming fears that a lack of rolling stock would delay passengers benefitting from the track upgrade. The necessary work to the Tod Curve will be finished in May.

Today, we learn that our Caldervale line between Manchester and Leeds is not in line for electrification - inspite of the claim on the Network Rail website that "a fully electrified route will be provided between Manchester, Leeds and York by December 2018."

When MP Craig Whittaker asked in Parliament yesterday about plans for Caldervale electrification he was given a bland, non-committal answer by the Government minister. (Report)

Bradford's Telegraph and Argus reports, "When asked if . . . would include the much-asked-for electrification of the Caldervale Line, a Network Rail spokesman said: 'There are no plans to electrify the line at present.' "

A £600m upgrade to the northern rail network has begun with work on a fourth platform at Manchester Airport, a railway link between Manchester Victoria and Manchester Picadilly stations and the improvements to Victoria Station. One consequence should be direct trains from Hebden Bridge to Manchester Airport.