News from Sheffield Labour

MPs plan post-election ‘Rail in the North’ group

A meeting of MPs from across the North (chaired by Angela C Smith, MP for Sheffield Hillsborough) has prepared the way for establishing a post-election cross-party MPs campaign for more investment in the North’s rail networks.

Angela Smith said: “There is increasing cross-party concern from MPs across the North about the disparity on rail investment levels between the South East and the North. In recent years London has seen a massive and comprehensive overhaul and expansion of its rail networks. It’s now time for the centre of gravity of rail investment to move North as on too many of our services we have trains that are too poor quality and too overcrowded to cope.

“MPs from across the region know just how important to the North’s economy it is that our cities have modern and efficient commuter rail networks, as well as rapid and regular services between the North’s major centres and beyond. At our recent meeting in Parliament there was a clear view that post-election the North’s MPs need to mobilise on a cross-party basis to make a strong and effective case for a fair share for the North of available funding for rail.”

Angela Smith added: “As a priority we must have firm commitment on the additional rolling stock the North desperately needs as our railways will be critical to supporting our economies out of recession. Secondly, all parties must commit to relieving the major bottlenecks identified as the Northern Hub, in and around Manchester. As a Sheffield MP, I can see the benefits to my area of the Northern Hub. A clear funding commitment to see this happen would go a long way to reducing the imbalance in railway investment.”

The proposed campaign for rail investment in the North will focus on:

* Relieving the pressing capacity constraints in terms of rolling stock – the North has some of the most over-crowded trains and some of the oldest rolling stock in the country.

* Improving the connections between the cities of the North so that they are faster, more frequent and better quality – and as a first step towards this making sure that the Northern Hub project, which will resolve the most significant bottleneck in the North, is delivered.

* Improving connections between the North of England and the rest of the UK. As well as the development of a High Speed Rail network, a strategy for investment in the existing main lines is needed.

Other news from Sheffield Labour

• Angela Smith MP highlights economic problems faced by Barnsley - 7 February 2012
• Sheffield Lib Dems propose cuts to fuel poverty programme - 1 February 2012
• Sheffield Lib Dems exposed over 'merciless' opportunism on fortnightly collections - 1 February 2012