KATE Green, MP for Stretford and Urmston, spoke out in Parliament against the delay in vital electrification of rail lines in the north.

Throughout the General Election campaign, David Cameron promised to electrify key rail lines in the north, including the TransPennine line between Manchester and Leeds.

However, just seven weeks after the election, the government announced that it was “pausing” the vital electrification upgrades.

The pause in the electrification of the TransPennine line has a knock on effect on commuters in Trafford, delaying the release of rolling stock to replace the clapped-out pacer trains endured by local commuters.

In Parliament, Ms Green asked the Secretary of State for Transport, Patrick McLoughlin, how long people will have to put up with sub-standard train journeys.

Last year, the MP launched a survey to hear residents' views on the local train service and submitted feedback to the government’s consultation on the future of the Northern and TransPennine Express Rail franchises.

Her survey found that residents were experiencing serious overcrowding daily on rush hour trains and were fed up with regular delays and fare increases, as well as the outdated pacer style trains.

Ms Green is also urging local people to sign a petition to put pressure on the government to live up to its promises on rail electrification in the north by visiting labour.org.uk/dont-pull-the-plug.

She said: “Just months into this parliament we can see that the Tory government is going off the rails with their broken promises on vital infrastructure.

“Local people have had to put up with a poor quality train service for far too long and we need the government to commit to delivering electrification projects within a clear and published timetable.

“I will continue to put pressure on the government to keep its promises on rail electrification.”