Spending cuts hit new trains on East Coat Main Line

Mar 5 2010 by William Green, The Journal

PASSENGERS face being forced to use decades-old trains for years to come on the critical East Coast rail route as public spending cuts hit services.

Long-suffering travellers on the East Coast Main Line – linking the region with London and Scotland – have already had to cope with two private companies failing to meet their commitments and the renationalisation of services.

And Transport Secretary Lord Adonis has now admitted to The Journal that trains currently serving the route – which date back to the 1970s – could continue to be used for years to come.

Tyne Bridge MP David Clelland, a member of the Commons transport committee, said plans for new trains were a “casualty” of a spending squeeze despite the North East losing out on funding compared to areas like the South East.

Lord Adonis’ admission comes after he ordered a review into the “value for money” of Government plans for a new £7.5bn rail fleet for the East Coast route – with Gateshead in the running to assemble the trains, creating 500 jobs.

Announcing the review, the Transport Secretary last week told Parliament that the existing fleet dated back to the 1970s and “needs to be replaced”.

He also said Sir Andrew Foster, former head of the Audit Commission watchdog, has been asked to assess the Intercity Express Programme (IEP) to build new trains and report back within three months.

Quizzed by The Journal, Lord Adonis said extending the life of the current fleet of Inter City 125 trains was a “clear alternative” to the IEP programme to replace them.

“The alternative to the IEP has been for a period of time extending the fleet. There are big issues involved.”

Lord Adonis added these issues were why the IEP programme was developed, with the current fleet not meeting disability discrimination laws but having to by 2020.

He said: “It is not a question of a minor refurbishment in order to keep these 125s going beyond 2020. You would need a major refurbishment and the value for money for a major refurbishment of trains which would be by then be 45 years old is one that I would expect Sir Andrew Foster properly to evaluate.”

He also sought to reassure potential workers about assembling new trains in Gateshead.

He added: “This project is still very much alive. The issue as to whether or not to sign the contract will be one for the government after the election.”