Rail electrification plans fall far short of UK net zero targets, data shows

[eldomtom2]

Rail electrification plans fall far short of UK net zero targets, data shows

Figures obtained by Lib Dems reveal need for eightfold increase to reach greenhouse gas emissions goal by 2050

www.theguardian.com

Figures obtained by Lib Dems reveal need for eightfold increase to reach greenhouse gas emissions goal by 2050

Plans to electrify the UK’s railways are running so far short of what is needed that it would take 240 years at current rates to reach the net zero goal, data has shown.

Over the next three years, to the end of 2025, the UK is set to electrify 162.5km (101 miles) of railway track, which is only about 12% of what is estimated to be needed over that period to be in line with the goal of reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

To meet the UK’s net zero commitments, estimates show that 448km a year of rail must be electrified. Current plans would need to be increased eightfold to meet that target.

The figures, obtained through a freedom of information request by the Liberal Democrats, mark a continuation of the sluggish progress of rail electrification over the past eight years. Data from the House of Commons library, also commissioned by the Lib Dems, shows that between 2015 and 2022 the UK only once, in 2019, met the target of 448km a year.

Last year, only 2.2km of track was electrified. The new East West Rail line, under construction and scheduled to come into use in 2025, is also not being electrified, which the Lib Dems said was a missed opportunity.

The Lib Dem findings show that in 2022-23 the main electrification project was the Barking Riverside line, of which only 2.5 miles were electrified, and in 2024-25 about 13, 38.5 and 47 miles of electrification are planned on the Wigan Bolton, TransPennine and Midland mainline routes respectively.

Network Rail has said that about 13,000km of track must be electrified to meet the 2050 target, but does not break this down by year. The Rail Industry Association has calculated, based on Network Rail’s estimates, that 448km of track must be electrified each year to fulfil the plans.

The lack of a planned program for electrification remains a serious issue. Hopes that batteries will be the saviour mean nothing without actual plans for their implementation.

 

[yorksrob]

Well done to the Lib Dems for highlighting this situation.

 

[D365]

UK rail electrification is 30 years behind where it should be.

 

[snowball]

In other news, the Pope is rumoured to be a Catholic, and there have been reports of ursine sylvan defecation.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Frustrating but no surprise and nothing new.

In other news, the Pope is rumoured to be a Catholic, and there have been reports of ursine sylvan defecation.

Indeed.

 

[Snow1964]

Not only is it the infrastructure, but seemed to have moved to a total disconnect with rolling stock replacement. Used to be new electric trains and a cascade to optimise displaced stock.

Gone are days of planning where the fully trained teams and equipment move onto next to keep programme rolling, replaced by expensive and inefficient start-stop approach.

All a bit, we have completely lost our way, no strong leadership.

 

[AndrewE]

It's worse than that, it's part of the same backward movement by the blinkered and selfish which has produced

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has ordered a review of low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs), saying that he is on the side of drivers.
He told the Sunday Telegraph he was supporting people to "use their cars to do all the things that matter to them".

(https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-66351785 " Sunak orders review of low traffic neighbourhoods in pro-motorist message")

This govt seems to have no commitment whatsoever to any "environmental" agenda, let alone public health. You have to wonder whether they pay any attention to anything outside their far-right bubble.

 

[Envoy]

It's worse than that, it's part of the same backward movement by the blinkered and selfish which has produced

(https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-66351785 " Sunak orders review of low traffic neighbourhoods in pro-motorist message")

This govt seems to have no commitment whatsoever to any "environmental" agenda, let alone public health. You have to wonder whether they pay any attention to anything outside their far-right bubble.

It’s because he figures it is a vote winner as cars are gradually going electric & it is the poor who have old polluting engines that are being hit by clean air zones. He also knows that everybody is pissed off with the railways and their constant strikes that are timed to cause the most disruption - such as hitting the holiday traffic every Saturday this summer.

 

[Class 170101]

It’s because he figures it is a vote winner as cars are gradually going electric & it is the poor who have old polluting engines that are being hit by clean air zones. He also knows that everybody is pissed off with the railways and their constant strikes that are timed to cause the most disruption - such as hitting the holiday traffic every Saturday this summer.

Perhaps if he didn't P*** off staff he wouldn't have the strike problem.

 

[yorksrob]

It's worse than that, it's part of the same backward movement by the blinkered and selfish which has produced

(https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-66351785 " Sunak orders review of low traffic neighbourhoods in pro-motorist message")

This govt seems to have no commitment whatsoever to any "environmental" agenda, let alone public health. You have to wonder whether they pay any attention to anything outside their far-right bubble.

It's too busy pursuing its war on railway passengers.

 

[vic-rijrode]

UK rail electrification is 30 years behind where it should be.

That's unduly optimistic, make it 50 to 60 years behind.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

That's unduly optimistic, make it 50 to 60 years behind.

Modernisation Plan circa 1955 - so add 60 years takes us to 2015 so I guess you are about right and not too much hyperbole.

 

[vic-rijrode]

Modernisation Plan circa 1955 - so add 60 years takes us to 2015 so I guess you are about right and not too much hyperbole.

Thanks!

My main interest as an amateur rail enthusiast has always been the history of British railways. Whenever there is a discussion about electrification progress (or lack thereof), my thoughts turn to an "alternate reality" of a far more progressive attitude to modernisation since WW2. In this reality in 2023 we are celebrating the final infilling project where the line from Westbury to Dorchester together with the Bridport branch has just been electrified at 25kv OHL, eliminating the last gap in the old GWR.

HS2, HS3, HS4 and HS5 were all built in the 1980s and 1990s and fully electrified from opening.

Of course, for such scenic lines as the Central Wales, Waverley (through to Carlisle), West Highland, Kyle of Lochalsh and Far North, battery technology (which began to be developed in the 1970s when the climate emergency was first realised) has long replaced diesel power without the intrusion of "knitting". This is after the outcry on this forum and the national press over how the electrification of the former Great North of Scotland Railway lines from Elgin to Banff and the Royal Deeside line was carried out.

Then I wake up...

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Be careful you are wandering way way way into speculative territory

 

[vic-rijrode]

Be careful you are wandering way way way into speculative territory

I'm not speculating, I'm hallucinating!

 

[zwk500]

Modernisation Plan circa 1955 - so add 60 years takes us to 2015 so I guess you are about right and not too much hyperbole.

Although exactly how far 'behind' we might be is rather a red herring, because the goalposts are forever shifting.

The key point is that we don't have as long as we need to meet the targets we are setting ourselves at this time. Therefore we either need to revise the target (not helpful, as we're not in control of the outcome), find a completely different way of achieving the target through other means (we've been looking, but not much has shown enough potential), or find a way to get a monumental shift on.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

--------- the goalposts are forever shifting.

The key point is that we don't have as long as we need to meet the targets we are setting ourselves at this time. Therefore we either need to revise the target (not helpful, as we're not in control of the outcome), find a completely different way of achieving the target through other means (we've been looking, but not much has shown enough potential), or find a way to get a monumental shift on.

Ain't that the truth? !

 

[Silenos]

Although exactly how far 'behind' we might be is rather a red herring, because the goalposts are forever shifting.

The key point is that we don't have as long as we need to meet the targets we are setting ourselves at this time. Therefore we either need to revise the target (not helpful, as we're not in control of the outcome), find a completely different way of achieving the target through other means (we've been looking, but not much has shown enough potential), or find a way to get a monumental shift on.

I expect we will do what we always do: decide it is all too difficult and too expensive, wait until a lot of damage is done, then carry out half-arsed remedial measures at twice the original cost.

 

[geoffk]

The executive summary of the Stern Report states: "The benefits of strong, early action on climate change outweigh the costs. The scientific evidence points to increasing risks of serious, irreversible impacts from climate change associated with business-as-usual paths for emissions." When was it written? 2006.

I suspect that "business as usual" for the Conservative Party also means "donations as usual".

 

[AndrewE]

The executive summary of the Stern Report states: "The benefits of strong, early action on climate change outweigh the costs. The scientific evidence points to increasing risks of serious, irreversible impacts from climate change associated with business-as-usual paths for emissions." When was it written? 2006.

I suspect that "business as usual" for the Conservative Party also means "donations as usual".

and vigorously exploiting the succession of crises which are on the way... (anyone ready to cash in on something like the PPE fast track?)

 

[zwk500]

I expect we will do what we always do: decide it is all too difficult and too expensive, wait until a lot of damage is done, then carry out half-arsed remedial measures at twice the original cost.

I fear you have hit the nail directly on the head.

 

[snowball]

I think it's a gross exaggeration to say we're 50 years behind. We would be 50 years behind if we had electrified nothing since the WCML.

 

[stuu]

I expect we will do what we always do: decide it is all too difficult and too expensive, wait until a lot of damage is done, then carry out half-arsed remedial measures at twice the original cost.

Shush, that's supposed to be a top secret plan