The government have today announced funding for some improvement to the existing main line rail services in the region. The government claims that the work will see improvements to platforms, tracks, signals and junctions across the East Coast route. New Intercity Express trains will be provided and the Government claims northern commuters will benefit from “more seats and faster, more frequent journeys between Doncaster, Leeds and Newcastle”.
Local Councillor Andrew Waller said, “A reliable and properly funded East Coast Main Line is pivotal to our region’s growth and any investment to the line is welcome. However, the Government’s approach to tackle these problems in a piecemeal way is not a strategic approach to solving the current capacity problem. This is only a small step in addressing the imbalance of investment, which is currently focussed on London and the South East of England. (more…)