Fury over shelving of key northern rail project

Ministers were also accused of covering up the bad news – about electrification of the TransPennine route between York and Manchester – until after the general election was out of the way.

Officially, the scheme has merely been “paused” pending a report by Sir Peter Hendy, who has been parachuted into Network Rail to sort out what Labour branded a “shambles”.

However, under fierce questioning, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin refused to say how long the “pause” will last – and admitted electrification of the London to Swansea route is his “priority”.

Embarrassingly, the TransPennine route was the only major new cross-Northern rail scheme in the pipeline and was, therefore, seen as crucial to the so-called ‘Northern Powerhouse’ project.

Funding was pledged as far back as 2011 and work began on altering bridges on a project described as “vital” for economic growth by Network Rail.

Just two weeks ago, David Cameron told MPs that the Northern Powerhouse “means linking the great cities of the North of England and making the most of them”.

Meanwhile, Teesside MPs also raised the alarm over the knock-on effect on separate plans to electrify the line between Northallerton and Middlesbrough.

The “pause” to a £38.5bn programme - which also includes electrification of the Midland Mainline, between London and Sheffield - came in a statement to parliament.

Mr McLoughlin blamed rising costs and delays – caused by problems in the supply chain for signals and difficulties gaining planning permission for some upgrades – but admitted these were “no excuse”.

He added: “I do not pretend that everything is perfect, because it isn’t. In parts of this programme Network Rail’s performance has not been good enough.”

Sir Peter Hendy, London’s transport commissioner will take charge and Network Rail’s directors will be stripped of their bonuses this year.

Furious Labour MPs pointed out that Network Rail first admitted the electrifications were in trouble nearly a year ago – and had updated the Government before Christmas

Michael Dugher, Labour’s transport spokesman, said: “You spent the election campaign repeating promises you knew you would break after the election.”

And Tom Blenkinsop, the Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP, said: “The Government’s failure to deliver a fit-for-purpose railway for the North is yet another broken election promise.”

Mysteriously, Mr McLoughlin said the “pause” would allow his department to be “much more ambitious” for the TransPennine route.

However, the Transport Secretary’s aides were unable to say what that meant, when questioned by The Northern Echo.

Although, the project will only cut around ten minutes off journey times across the Pennines, electrification also delivers ‘greener’ more comfortable services.