Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to their commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and considering the decreasing costs of electrification, whether they will reconsider their decision to not electrify the Midland Main Line to Derby, Nottingham and Sheffield before they confirm any orders for hybrid trains.

There are currently no plans to further extend electrification on the Midland Main Line (MML), beyond those works planned by the MML enhancements programme and HS2 Phase 2b.

The Government is committed to a greener, cleaner transport system, and recognises the important role this will play in reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050. That’s why we are modernising the UK rail fleet to introduce more electric, bi-mode (electric and diesel hybrid) and alternative-fuel trains to the network. The new bi-mode intercity trains for the Midland Main Line will have less environmental impact than the current trains, some of which are over 30 years old. Our ambition is that these will be the cleanest ever bi-mode trains.

Abellio, who have recently been awarded the new East Midlands Railway franchise will be at the forefront of delivering a cleaner, greener rail network. They are seeking innovative ways to keep emissions to a minimum when running under diesel power, and will trial hydrogen fuel cell trains on the Midland Main Line and run zero-carbon pilots at six stations along the route.