AN MP has slammed the Government’s refusal to guarantee the full-electrification of the TransPennine rail route, saying a failure to deliver the improvements would amount to a “betrayal”.

Tracy Brabin, MP for Batley and Spen, says the latest reports, which indicate the Government is planning to ditch its pledge to fully electrify the route, will “add insult to injury” after months of cancellations and delays.

During a House of Commons debate on the subject this week, Ms Brabin asked the Transport Minister Jo Johnson if the Government intended to be true to its word.

Mr Johnson said an announcement will be made later this year on the plans for the TransPennine Manchester to York route that runs directly through Batley.

Ms Brabin, who has been campaigning for a fit-for-purpose rail service locally, later said: "My constituents and millions across the North of England expect and need this investment, anything less would be adding insult to injury."