MP vows to fight after electric rail link between Telford and Wolverhampton axed
There is no funding for the electrification of the train line between Wolverhampton and Telford, it was revealed today.
The news comes after Telford MP Lucy Allan raised the issue in the House of Commons.
She has now launched a petition she will present to Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin and Network Rail in an attempt to see the line electrified to make Telford "better connected, boosting business, jobs, and growth".
Patrick McLoughlin last month told MPs that a £38 billion five-year plan to overhaul Britain's railways was being "reset" because it is "costing more and taking longer".
Since then, Ms Allan has written to Claire Perry, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Department for Transport, to ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he was taking to ensure the electrification of the line between Wolverhampton and Telford.
Her response was: "The line between Wolverhampton and Telford is not currently funded for electrification.
"The Government expects to publish its next Rail Investment Strategy for 2019-2024 in July 2017."
Telford missed out on electrification and faster, more frequent train services after Network Rail confirmed its £37.5 billion spending plans up to 2019 two years ago.
Ms Allan said: "Improving Telford's transport links is one of my top priorities.
"I want to see the line between Wolverhampton and Telford electrified to make Telford better connected, boosting business, jobs, and growth.
"I have launched an online petition to show how important an issue this is."
You can sign the petition at www.lucyallan.com/rail-electrification-petition
