Northern rail electrification scheme surrounded by 'question marks'

Select Committee hears evidence about the scheme that will provide the electrification of the route from Manchester to Leeds and York

Concerns about funding for a key rail electrification scheme have been raised by a Commons Select Committee chairman.

There were "all kinds of question marks" surrounding the Northern electrification programme, according to the House of Commons Transport Committee chairman Louise Ellman. 

Her comments came as rail chiefs and Whitehall's rail "supremo" Clare Moriarty gave evidence to the committee.

Moriarty and Network Rail group strategy director Paul Plummer said that the exact total cost of some major rail schemes, including the northern electrification, was still to be decided upon.

Moriarty said there would have to be "some choices made" should the total costs exceed a certain sum, with the costing process due to be completed by March 2015.

Asked if the Northern electrification scheme was going to go ahead, Plummer said he could not give a categorical confirmation.

Ellman said: "I feel concerned about the fact that all kinds of question marks are surrounding the northern electrification."

Due to be completed by the end of 2018, the scheme will provide the electrification of the route from Manchester to Leeds and York.

A Department for Transport spokeswoman said: "Major schemes like HS2 and the £600 million Northern Hub, which will transform rail in the north, show how committed we are to delivering improvements that will benefit all areas of England.

"We are working hard with Network Rail to ensure the delivery of electrification of rail services in the north, because we know how vital electrification is to northern services. We are investing £38 billion across the rail network over the next five years."