The high profile visit comes after mounting local frustration over rail investment in the region
Following his visit to Hull, Sir Ed Davey has argued that passengers across Yorkshire continue to bear the brunt of broken transport promises under successive governments(Image: Liberal Democrats)
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has joined calls from local campaigners demanding the government honour its pledge to electrify the railway line into Hull. It was recently announced that Hull would get high-tech battery trains, but Sir Ed believes this means East Yorkshire is being ‘let down’.
The Lib Dem leader visited Hull at the weekend. He arrived in the city on Hull Trains service from London alongside local peer Lord McCobb, who briefed the party leader on Hull’s protracted battle for faster, greener rail infrastructure. On the journey up the train is forced to switch from electric power to diesel where the overhead wires abruptly end – noticeably slowing the journey into East Yorkshire.
The high profile visit comes after mounting local frustration over rail investment. In 2024, the Government signed a landmark devolution deal for Hull and East Yorkshire that formally committed to bringing the region into the Northern Powerhouse Rail network, explicitly promising line electrification and faster journey times.
However, in September, the government announced that instead battery-powered electric trains would serve East Yorkshire. The Department for Transport unveiled the plans, which would be part of a £1-billion investment.
This could mean the more sustainable trains pulling into Hull’s Paragon Station in 2034. But since entering the House of Lords in September, Lord McCobb has made it his priority to argue that this hybrid solution is not good enough and he is still demanding the full electrification into East Yorkshire.
The Peer has tabled a series of written parliamentary questions over recent weeks challenging ministers over the omission. One response pointed to journey times on the expensive new battery trains between Hull and Leeds only improving by a single minute.
Political leader argues East Yorkshire is ‘bearing the brunt’ of a broken transport system
Following his visit to Hull, Sir Ed has argued that passengers across Yorkshire continue to bear the brunt of broken transport promises under successive governments.
“The Government has broken its word to people in Hull and East Yorkshire. A commitment to increased speeds and an electrified line is there in black and white in the Devolution Deal,” he said.
“People in this part of Yorkshire have been let down on rail travel times by the Conservatives and now again by Labour. Travelling up to Hull, I saw for myself first-hand where the journey slows down. Hull and East Yorkshire deserve the same fast, modern rail links as everyone else, and the Liberal Democrats will keep fighting until ministers deliver.”
Did you know you can make Hull Live a preferred source of Hull news in Google, which will mean you get more of our breaking news, exclusives, and must-read stories straight away? Here’s more information about what this means and how to do it – you can also do it straight away by clicking here .
Lord McCobb echoed the call, warning that alternative proposals fall far short of what local communities were guaranteed.
“Hull has been promised electrification again and again, and every time it has been put off,” he said. “Back in 2013, Hull Trains even offered to pay for it, and the Conservative Government said no. Battery trains in the 2030s and one minute off travel time are not the electrification we were promised. With Ed’s backing, I’ll keep pressing ministers in Parliament until they keep their word.”
Transport chiefs promise the new trains will deliver better accessibility and reliability
The battery trains will be built at Alstom in Derby. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has previously shared his view that the new trains will help decarbonise rail travel across northern England, will boost reliability and help deliver growth.
He said: “These 29 new trains will bring faster, more reliable journeys to the North, and thousands of British jobs for the next generation. It’s exactly what Great British Railways is all about – taking back control of the basics and getting Britain believing again.”
Train operating companies are looking forward to the improved fleet of trains and believe they bring many benefits beyond journey times. Chris Jackson, managing director at TransPennine Express, spoke out when the investment was announced and claimed the new battery trains will be ‘transformational’ for Hull.
He said: “Our customers will benefit from more seats and better accessibility, including level boarding. Britain has a proud railway heritage, and this project puts the UK at the forefront of the next generation of cleaner rail technology.”
To find planning applications, traffic diversions, road layout changes, alcohol licence applications and more, visit the Public Notices Portal .