Electrification Task Force

I suppose imitation is the sincerest form of flattery but I must confess to being a little miffed when I discovered that the recently published  "Report of the North of England Electrification Task Force" is called Northern Sparks.

The report comes up with a prioritised list of lines in northern England which are recommended for future electrification projects.  In the Northwest these are as follows:

Tier One (2019 to 2024)

• Calder Valley – Leeds to Manchester and Preston via Bradford and Brighouse.
• Liverpool to Manchester via Warrington Central.
• Southport and Kirkby to Salford (via Atherton).
• Chester to Stockport.
• Bolton to Clitheroe.
• Hazel Grove to Buxton.
• Warrington to Chester.

Tier Two (Post 2024)

• Manchester to Sheffield and local services in south east Manchester.
• Chester to Crewe.
• Burnley to Colne.
• Preston to Blackpool South.

Tier Three (Long term)

• Carnforth to Barrow.
• Preston to Ormskirk.
• Skipton to Carlisle.
• Cumbrian Coast.
• Skipton to Heysham.

You can read the full report here.

Update:  A more detailed examination of the report revealed that all the maps show the Ashburys to Philips Park line as non-electrified.  After a quick exchange of emails with Rail North I am pleased to confirm that this is a minor error in the report, and not a cancellation of part of phase 5.