Hull City Council has sought clarification from government on the electrification of the Hull to Leeds rail line.
The city was namechecked in Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party Conference speech as he abandoned the Birmingham to Manchester HS2 leg, setting out his £36 billion Network North aspirations. However, in the days following the huge announcement it has emerged some projects were illustrative and others have already been watered down.
Cllr Mike Ross, leader of Hull City Council, has now written to the Secretary of State for Transport to seek clarification on when the government expects the work to take place. Key figures at The Guildhall have been working with Transport for the North and Network Rail, alongside the Department for Transport and neighbouring local authorities, to develop proposals to electrify the lines as part of Northern Powerhouse Rail.
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Mr Ross wants assurances electrification of the line still remains a priority.
In the letter, he said: “Electrification of the line to Hull has been a top priority for many years. It is a project that the council has been championing and working very hard on with partners and, setting aside any comments on the cancellation of HS2, I am delighted that it has been recognised as part of the Network North plan as a priority to take forward for delivery. It will support the expansion of the port of Hull, our growing green energy industry, as well as support our wider economic growth and future development aspirations.”
Cllr Ross went on to highlight the crucial part future transport links to Hull and East Riding will play in current devolution deal negotiations with the government, adding: “We are also seeking confirmation and clarification on these points as an important part of our devolution negotiations with the Department of Levelling-Up, Housing and Communities.”
Reliable rail connectivity is crucial for Hull’s economic growth, and if rail electrification goes ahead, it could potentially put 1.1million people and 31,000 businesses within 90 minutes of Hull.
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As well as cutting journey times from Hull to Leeds from 57 minutes to 38 minutes, electrification would also make travel more environmentally friendly, reliable and ensure that new rolling stock could run right across the network.
Hull Trains has previously made strong calls for the work, with its state-of-the-art Paragon fleet of Hitachi trains only able to connect via the pantograph once they reach the East Coast Main Line at Temple Hirst Junction.
Hull’s mention on stage in Manchester was cautiously welcomed by Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce.
External affairs director David Hooper said: “On the face of it, this announcement is good news for the Humber and it is the news we’ve lobbied for years to achieve, however, we all know there is an election looming, so we will feel much more excited about it when work actually begins on the promised electrification of the Hull to Selby stretch of line in particular.
“All we’ve got so far is the announcement, no hint of timescales, but if it comes to pass, it will cut journey times from Hull to Leeds and beyond which is something that has been holding back this area for years.
“I would add that the announcement does little to address the issues around freight traffic and congestion on the existing rail network – something HS2 would have helped to alleviate.
“We will be meeting with Rail Minister Huw Merriman in Westminster and will once again impress upon the latest Rail Minister the urgent need for him to deliver on these promises so the Humber can prosper.”
It is a leading voice behind calls for the reintroduction of the Cleethorpes to London line too, with LNER having recently tested the possibility ahead of negotiations with government.