THE case has been made out to electrify the Northallerton to Middlesbrough train line as a top priority, according to a task force which has reported to the Government.

The task force, consisting of MPs, council leaders and officials from the Department for Transport and Network Rail, was set up to determine how electrification could deliver economic growth in the North.

Northallerton to Middlesbrough was placed in the ‘tier one’ category by the group in its ‘Northern Sparks’ report, as was the Leeds-Harrogate-York line.

The recommendation is a double boost for Middlesbrough in particular which is due to get direct services to London from May 2020 as part of the new Virgin Trains East Coast franchise.

Thirty-two routes in total covered by the Northern Rail and TransPennine Express franchises were examined and grouped into three tiers, based on their ability to contribute to local economic plans, how they fit with other schemes, and the number of diesel kilometres of track they would replace.

Electrification schemes for sections not included in current industry plans could start in 2019/20 once a rolling programme of works Network Rail is committed to ends.

However business cases will have to be established first in order to justify the significant investment involved.

The taskforce was chaired by Harrogate MP Andrew Jones and included Redcar MP Iain Swales.

Mr Swales said: “Investment in [the Middlesbrough-Northallerton] line will enable the new operator of the Middlesbrough to London line to finally offer a direct service which will greatly benefit Teesport and make transporting freight easier.

“The fight goes on to achieve electrification of the Durham Coast and Tees Valley (Bishop Auckland-Darlington-Middlesbrough-Saltburn) lines.”

Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald said: “Middlesbrough will benefit enormously from direct and electrified connectivity with the major conurbations in the North and London.

“This is exactly what I have been calling for.”

Stephen Catchpole, managing director of the Local Enterprise Partnership Tees Valley Unlimited, said: “This announcement supports our ambitions for an effective and efficient transport network, which will enable the Tees Valley to become more competitive and productive.”

Welcoming the report, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said electrification would enable more modern trains to run and provide faster, more reliable journeys.

Mr McLoughlin said: “I am grateful to the members of the task force for their work. I want to see a rolling plan for further electrification and this study will have a vital part to play in setting the agenda for 2019 and beyond.

“Network Rail will take the task force’s findings into account as it develops its nationwide plan to improve the nation’s railways.”