Saturday 28 March 2015

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.