Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the upgrade of the Manchester-Leeds-York railway line will begin; and if he will make a statement.

The upgrade referred to is included in the “North of England Programme”. This work has already begun. The programme will enhance key northern routes and provide benefits across the north of England, with over £1bn being invested over the next five years (2014-2019). Manchester - Leeds - York electrification was announced in November 2011 as part of the wider North Transpennine Electrification Scheme. This electrification scheme forms part of the North of England Programme. Key rail routes will be electrified across the North to make journeys faster, quicker and more reliable, improving journey times and the passenger experience.

Work has already started, and the first phase of the Transpennine route (from Manchester to Stalybridge) is planned to be electrified by December 2016. To the east of Stalybridge, works are currently being planned to deliver a fully electrified route between Manchester, Leeds and York.

Once complete, this significant infrastructure improvement will link up with the already electrified lines at Leeds and York. Further information can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-approves-major-infrastructure-works

http://www.networkrail.co.uk/North_West_electrification.aspx