Former Minister backs campaigners call for railway electrification

A former government minister has backed a call, by Lib Dem campaigners in Hinckley and Bosworth, for the government to stick by its previous pledge to ensure the electrification of the Midland Mainline. Baroness Lorely Burt, who was a Whip in the Coalition Government, is supporting the call for the modernisation of the line, which runs through Leicester and the rest of the East Midlands.

Recently the Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Gray ling MP, cancelled the improvement. Lib Dem Shadow Cabinet Member Baroness Burt, who was the Member of Parliament for Solihull from 2005 to 2015, showed her support for the cause at the East Midlands Liberal Democrats Spring Conference.

Councillor Michael Mullaney, the Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson for Bosworth, says "I'm delighted that Lib Dem Shadow Cabinet member Baroness Lorely Burt is backing the campaign to electrify the East Midlands Mainline.

"When in government the Lib Dems made the electrification of the line a priority. It's tragic that the current Conservative only administration has decided to cancel electrification in Leicestershire. Our region has one of the lowest levels of infrastructure spending in the country. Electrification of the Midland Mainline will mean cleaner, faster trains for passengers and will be a boost for businesses in the region.

It's time Tory MPs and the Tory government did something for our region. It's time they reinstate electrification of the Midland Mainline."

Mathew Hulbert, Vice Chair of Bosworth Liberal Democrats and former Councillor for Barwell, says "Under this Tory government the East Midlands always seems to be at the back of the queue when it comes to investment in new infrastructure. We also have among the lowest social mobility in the country, with more people born poor here likely to die poor than in many other parts of the country. I think these two factors are very likely to be connected, as investment in infrastructure projects, such as the electrification of the Midland Mainline, helps create jobs, helps local businesses, and helps the wider local economy and people at all levels in it.

"Failing Chris Grayling must now reverse his appalling decision and commit, as soon as possible, to the electrification of the Midland Mainline."