Campaigners call for Midland Main Line electrification work to restart

CAMPAIGNERS have called for funding to electrify phase three of the Midland Mainline, saying it will create thousands of jobs in Derby, boost regional transport capacity, improve rail services and cut climate emissions.

- 

They are urging the Government to switch the cash from “destructive and polluting road schemes” like the A38 expansion in Derby, to rail electrification.

Campaigners got their message across with banners in Litchurch Lane in Derby on Friday and Saturday, timed to coincide with The Greatest Gathering event at Alstom.

They highlighted what they described as the contrast between Government failure to support and fund electrification, claiming there is not enough money, whilst funding more road expansion.

In the spending review the Government decided to spend over £300 million on the A38 Derby Junctions scheme among others across the UK but paused Midland Mainline electrification.