Thursday 25 November 2010

Railway Investment

I'm pleased to see the Coalition putting forward its plans to invest in more than 2,100 new rail carriages for our railways by 2019. I know how important the railways are, especially the East Coast Mainline is to us here in the North East, to communters like myself and importantly business.

The Government will now be entering commercial negotiations with franchised operators about the allocation of new carriages and those freed up from Crossrail. Subject to those negotiations, we can hope to see improved carriages running to Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, and most importantly Newcastle!

In addition to the 2,100 new carriages, Britain is also to get a new fleet of intercity trains, replacing the ageing 30 year old 'Intercity 125s'. A big bonus which will help matters on the East Coast main line.