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The BBC reports that the Government will announce today plans to electrify the Great Western Main Line from London Paddington to Swansea, Bristol and Oxford.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8164070.stm

This follows on from a report in the Guardian newspaper on Tuesday suggesting the Government was finalising plans on the electrification of two major rail routes.

The GWML electrification should ensure carbon dioxide emissions are cut by some 35% compared to the current diesel trains when these come up for replacement.  In addition, electric trains are cheaper to purchase and maintain than their diesel counterparts, and the faster acceleration should decrease journey times between London and Swansea by around 20 minutes. The project will take place in stages over an eight year period, completing around 2020. 

Another line to be electrified is the line between Manchester and Liverpool via Newton-le-Willows.  The Midland Main Line electrification between Bedford and Nottingham/Sheffield is still under consideration and has not been given the go ahead at this stage.