Minister claims work has started on £100m electrification of rail line between Liverpool and Manchester
WORK on the electrification of the rail line between Liverpool and Manchester started yesterday and will be done with “minimum disruption”, ministers said.
Transport Minister Sadiq Khan announced at Lime Street Station the £100m investment in the line will cut journey times from 54 minutes to 30. Design work started yesterday, and construction work is expected to start in two years, with completion in 2013.
Labour have claimed the upgrade will pay for itself in 40 years.
But the Conservatives said the Government was living in “fantasy land” if they thought it would be free.
Mr Khan said: “Electrification will provide quicker, more comfortable journeys for rail passengers and help boost business in these two great cities.
“We will see these new trains in four years – that is a record time.”
