Closed petition Commit to electrification of the whole East West Rail line & ban diesel on route

Closed on 17 November 2021

Place the environment and sustainable transport at the forefront of the East West Rail project and commit to ensuring that the whole of the project is electrified at the outset and that diesel cannot be used to fuel trains along the entire route.

“Electric trains are better for the environment than diesel trains, and they’re quieter for both those on board ... and those living close to the railway" (Network Rail who are undertaking significant work to electrify rails to meet the government's target of taking all diesel only trains off the track by 2040)

Failure to commit to this now risks severe disruption to the local habitats and communities not once but twice before the end of the next decade as well as decreasing air quality.