Electrification 'paused' by Transport Secretary

On Thursday 25th June the Transport Secretary, Patrick McLoughlin, announced that electrification of the Midland Main Line was to be 'paused'.  This is part of a national rescheduling of major Network Rail investment schemes following delays and cost overruns including the Great Western Main Line electrification - though that is going ahead as a priority.  
The delay in electrifying our line is a disappointment but the Transport Secretary did indicate that speed and capacity improvements can still go ahead without electrification.  He is right about that and the track realignment through Market Harborough must now be a priority.  This has been debated for long enough.  There is wide-ranging agreement amongst the rail industry, the local authorities and Local Enterprise Partnerships and others, as well as user groups, that this scheme is of great benefit to the whole line and the places it serves; not just Market Harborough.  For us, if done properly it means the provision of a modern station at platform level, with full accessibility from street to platform and from platform to train.  HRU will press for the scheme to be delivered and we need to know exactly what is now proposed and exactly when it is to be done.  Then, not only will the station be properly fit for purpose, it will also be ready for electrification when that is finally authorised.