Transport written question – answered at on 8 December 2011.
Helen Goodman
Shadow Minister (Culture, Media and Sport)
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps she is taking to improve Northern Rail connectivity between Liverpool and Newcastle; and what recent progress she has made on the Northern Hub.
Theresa Villiers
The Minister of State, Department for Transport
In the recent autumn statement, the Chancellor of the exchequer announced the electrification of the north Trans-Pennine route between Manchester and York.
We have previously announced that the line between Liverpool and Manchester via the Chat Moss route would be electrified and have given the go-ahead for the Ordsall Chord scheme in Manchester.
These investments, which are vital to the delivery of the Northern Hub strategy, will provide the opportunity for train operators to provide a direct fast service between Liverpool and Newcastle up to 45 minutes quicker than today.
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Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
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