Recent data obtained by the Liberal Democrats indicates that the UK's plans for rail electrification are woefully insufficient to meet the country's net zero emissions goal by 2050. The figures show that over the next three years, the UK is set to electrify only 162.5km (101 miles) of railway track, which is a mere 12% of what is estimated to be required during that period to align with the net zero target. To stay on track for net zero, approximately 448km of rail should be electrified each year, necessitating an eightfold increase in current plans.
The slow progress of rail electrification over the past eight years is evident from the data. Between 2015 and 2022, the UK met the 448km yearly target only once, in 2019. Last year, a paltry 2.2km of track was electrified. The new East West Rail line, which is currently under construction and set to commence operations in 2025, will not be electrified, a decision criticized by the Liberal Democrats as a missed opportunity.
Electrification is vital for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector. A recent report by the Committee on Climate Change highlighted the stagnation in emissions reduction from transport. The Liberal Democrats emphasize that public transport, including rail, should play a key role in achieving the net zero objective. They assert that the government's failure to prioritize cleaner rail travel and a lack of plans for rail electrification undermine its claims of being a leader in decarbonization.
The Liberal Democrats call for all new rail lines to be built as electric by default, as diesel trains contribute to both air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions. The current electrification projects, such as the Barking Riverside line, fall short of expectations, prompting concerns about the UK's ability to meet its target of electrifying approximately 13,000km of track by 2050.
In response to the data, the Department for Transport affirms its commitment to achieving a net zero rail network by 2050 and cites the electrification of 800 miles of rail track in the past seven years. They point to plans for more electrification in their £96 billion integrated rail plan and investments in battery innovations and hydrogen trials.
Currently, only 38% of the UK's rail network is electrified, but these sections carry about three-quarters of the network's total passengers annually. To achieve significant emissions reductions, urgent and ambitious action is required to accelerate rail electrification and transition to a cleaner, sustainable transport system.
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