Railway investment delays bad for passengers and regional growth, says the TUC
“Years of rip-off privatisation have left our railways starved of investment. Delaying much-needed upgrade work for the Midland Mainline and North Transpennine routes is the last thing passengers need.
25 June 2015
Commenting on the announcement today (Thursday) that the government is to delay upgrade work on the Midland Mainline and North Transpennine line, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:
“Years of rip-off privatisation have left our railways starved of investment. Delaying much-needed upgrade work for the Midland Mainline and North Transpennine routes is the last thing passengers need.
“Putting the brakes on railway modernisation will mean longer journey times and extending the lifetime of trains built in the 1980s.
“Today’s decision is also bad for regional growth and jobs. How can the government expect to build a northern powerhouse if it is unwilling stump up funds for vital transport links and infrastructure?”
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk
- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews
Stay Updated
Want to hear about our latest news and blogs?
Sign up now to get it straight to your inbox