Work to electrify Midland Main Line confirmed as government rail plan faces criticism

Cecilia Keating
clock • 3 min read
The Transport Secretary inspects wiring gantries being built for the Midland Mainline on a visit to the Leicester hub of Network Rail contractors SPL on Tuesday | Credit: DfT
Image:

The Transport Secretary inspects wiring gantries being built for the Midland Mainline on a visit to the Leicester hub of Network Rail contractors SPL on Tuesday | Credit: DfT

Long-promised electrification of line between Kettering and Market Harborough to kick off on Christmas Eve, but government's scaled-back rail vision continues to face criticism

Work to electrify the rail line between Kettering and Market Harborough is primed to start on Christmas Eve, as part of the government's plan to "set the starting gun" for quieter trains, greater decarbonisation,...

To continue reading this article...

Join BusinessGreen

In just a few clicks you can start your free BusinessGreen Lite membership for 12 months, providing you access to:

  • Three complimentary articles per month covering the latest real-time news, analysis, and opinion from Europe’s leading source of information on the Green economy and business
  • Receive important and breaking news stories via our daily news alert
  • Our weekly newsletter with the best of the week’s green business news and analysis

Join now

 

Already a BusinessGreen member?

Login

More on Rail

Rail industry warns electrification is 'essential' for energy security and net zero

Rail industry warns electrification is 'essential' for energy security and net zero

New report from Railway Industry Assocation argues a programme-based approached to electrification could reduce infrastructure delivery costs by a third

clock 04 June 2026 • 3 min read
Rethinking business travel: Why better systems will lead to sustainable routes

Rethinking business travel: Why better systems will lead to sustainable routes

Access to consistent emissions data allows businesses to see where progress is being made and where further opportunities exist, writes Sophie Fleming from Trainline Business

Sophie Fleming, Trainline Business
clock 30 April 2026 • 3 min read
Northern Powerhouse Rail: Treasury unveils £45bn plan to upgrade 'creaking' transport network

Northern Powerhouse Rail: Treasury unveils £45bn plan to upgrade 'creaking' transport network

New rail routes promised to better connect Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield, and York to Newcastle and Hull

Stuart Stone
clock 13 January 2026 • 4 min read