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Source: ONE News
Britain will spend 1.1 billion pounds on electrification of its rail network to help cut carbon emissions and speed up journey times, the government said on Thursday.
The line between London and Swansea in South Wales will be upgraded, as well as the link between the cities of Liverpool and Manchester in northwest England. Trains on both routes are currently powered by diesel.
The short-term cost of infrastructure company Network Rail's financing will be met by the government, and there will be no impact on other Network Rail investment programmes in the five-year investment period to 2014, the Department of Transport said in a statement.
The electrification programme will pay for itself over the long-term through lower train leasing, maintenance and operating costs, it added.
Work will start immediately with the Liverpool to Manchester line due for completion within four years and the London to Swansea line within eight years.
FirstGroup operates the main franchise for trains between London and South Wales.
Only a third of Britain's rail network is electrified, lagging well behind other European countries.
