The electrification of the Midland Mainline (MML) has been delayed yet again, with Sheffield set to remain the largest UK city without electrified railways. The latest pause affects plans to extend the electrification north of Kettering, originally intended to reach Sheffield by the end of 2020. The pause comes despite earlier proposals for the MML to extend to Doncaster and Leeds, including a link through Rotherham with a new station.
The Government’s decision to halt the project follows ongoing concerns over rising costs and prioritisation of other schemes. As a result, Sheffield will continue to depend on outdated diesel trains, which are slower, more polluting, and less reliable. These older trains contribute to higher emissions, which runs counter to the Government’s broader environmental goals.
This pause contrasts with the progress seen on the East Coast Mainline (ECML), which completed its electrification upgrade in 2020, enabling the introduction of new, modern trains. The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority has expressed concern over the ongoing delay, highlighting the environmental and operational drawbacks of sticking with diesel-powered services.
The Government has stated that while the next phase of electrification is paused, the potential for full electrification remains under review and may be reconsidered when funding becomes available in the future.
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