UKÔÇÖs ┬ú1.1 billion rail electrification

UKÔÇÖs ┬ú1.1 billion rail electrification The UK government has announced a ┬ú1.1 billion rail electrification programme for two of its major lines.The London to Swansea route will be electrified over the next eight years at a cost of ┬ú1 billion, as will lines between Liverpool and Manchester at a cost of ┬ú100 million.The upgrade is in line with the governmentÔÇÖs commitment to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from transport by 14 per cent by 2020.Only around one third of the UKÔÇÖs 20,000-mile rail network is currently electrified, compared with 100 per cent in Switzerland, 77 per cent in Sweden and 69 per cent in Italy. Electric trains are lighter and more energy-efficient, making them around 35 per cent cheaper to operate. They also have a lower environmental impact, creating up to 35 per cent less carbon than their diesel equivalents.Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said the investment would pay for itself over a period of around forty years. The work on the London to Swansea line will result in a 20-minute reduction on journey time, while the electrification of the Liverpool line will bring the city 14 minutes closer to Manchester.Phased work on the upgrades, to be carried out by Network Rail, is due to begin immediately.┬á