Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said new train technology means “we no longer need to electrify every line to achieve the same significant improvements to journeys.”

Electrification plans have now been dropped on the Great Western Main Line in south Wales, the Midland Main Line and on the Lakes Line between Windermere and Oxenholme.

These routes will now see “bi-mode” trains introduced which switch seamlessly between diesel and electric power.

Alternative fuel trains using battery and hydrogen power are also being developed.

Grayling said: “These new technologies mean that we can improve journeys for passengers sooner than expected with state of the art trains, instead of carrying out disruptive electrification works along the whole of these routes.”