THE challenge to complete the Government’s rail electrification programme on time is “very large”, MPs have been told.

There has been speculation that the 2018 completion date for the trans-Pennine part of the electrification programme could slip by as much as three years.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin and Department for Transport Permanent Secretary Philip Rutnam were asked about the electrification timing when they appeared before the House of Commons Transport Committee.

Twice the committee’s chairman Louise Ellman asked Mr Rutnam if there were going to be delays to the electrification programme.

Appearing dissatisfied with his responses she said she wanted a straight answer. Mr Rutnam replied: “Some of this programme is well advanced. For those (projects) which are less far advanced the challenge is very large.

“I can’t say there will be delays, but the challenge is large.”

Mr McLoughlin said that work was progressing on the Midland Main Line and Great Western electrification schemes and that the Government was committed to the whole 880-mile electrification programme.

He added: “I hope we can say more about this in the near future.”

On delays on the railways, Mr McLoughlin said that information from the rail industry about delays had to be “a lot better” and it was “very, very important” that passengers knew what was going on.