Public Transport: Expansion and Electrification

Lord Anderson of Swansea Excerpts

Monday 19th May 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Katz (Lab)]

I thank the noble Earl for the question. Of course, we are aware that it is important to develop greater electricity supply and infrastructure. We are confident that we can work with our partners—on transport with Network Rail and more widely with National Grid—to develop the sort of capacity of which he speaks, to develop the diesel-free, carbon-free future we are talking about.

[Lord Anderson of Swansea (Lab)]

My noble friend will recall that, despite clear undertakings, the last Conservative Government axed the proposed electrification of the Cardiff to Swansea line. Is there any prospect of that now being reconsidered?

[Lord Katz (Lab)]

I am pleased to say that rail is already the greenest form of transport, but more is indeed needed to meet our contribution to achieving net zero by 2050. For instance, 9% of all passenger miles are covered by electric vehicles, so it accounts for only 1% of transport emissions across the sector. We are investing in electrification, particularly on the trans-Pennine route upgrade—to electrify and upgrade the main arterial route between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York. I cannot give my noble friend any commitments today, obviously, on extending the great western main line electrification, but we are working to identify other opportunities for further electrification in light of the spending view.