Anger at news of government plans to "pause" improvements to railway line

A local Councillor has expressed disappointment at the announcement from Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin that electrifying the Midland Mainline, which goes through Leicester, is not to go ahead as planned.

Hinckley County Councillor and Lib Dem parliamentary spokesman, Michael Mullaney said "Many local residents use the Midland Mainline trains that run from Leicester towards Sheffield one way and London the other.

"Electrification of the line would provide faster, cleaner and, in the long run, more cost efficient trains. This is something I have campaigned on for some time and it is extremely disappointing that the Conservative Transport Minister has called a halt to the work to a halt leaving our area in the lurch yet again.

"Network Rail stated that electrifying the Midland Mainline was "Critical to delivering a reliable and sustainable railway and tackling overcrowding". It is important for local commuters and for business that this project is completed and I hope that we will hear from the government a commitment to completing it as soon as possible."