of route miles electrified in these years was answered to a written question in parliament. In November 2019 the annual statistics for route miles electrified was published by the DfT and shows that 38% of the UK network is now electrified. The projects have been subject to cost overruns and delays, and on 8 November 2016 the government announced that several elements of the Great Western Main Line electrification programme would be indefinitely deferred. In an attempt to mitigate and improve the cost situation the Railway Industry Association published a report in March 2019 detailing why costs had risen and suggested ways forward. However, in the new parliament after the 2019 General election, the Transport Select Committee chaired by Huw Merriman has met on a number of occasions and continued the "Trains fit for the future" enquiry theme started by the previous committee. On 23 March 2021, after many witnesses were called and written and oral evidence considered, a report was released calling for an immediate resumption of electrification in a rolling programme. However, in December 2021 in a story that appeared in the Telegraph it was stated that the Treasury had declined to support the electrification programme. Reputable peer reviewed journals state that electrification is the most relevant technology for reducing transports effect on the environment. Other systems 1,500 V DC, overhead Tyne and Wear Metro: The Tyne & Wear Metro, which opened in 1980, is now the only system left in the UK using the 1500VDC overhead lines. Although it is often described as "light rail", it is closer to a heavy metro, using only segregated track. Much of its route follows that of the previous Tyneside Electrics, which had been converted to diesel by 1967. Since 2002, the Metro has shared main-line track on the Durham Coast Line to Sunderland. This presents a potential problem for main-line services if routes into Sunderland or Newcastle upon Tyne that use this section were to be electrified at 25kVAC. Historically, there were more lines electrified at 1,500 V DC, but these have all since been either converted to 25kVAC or closed. (see 1,500VDC, overhead (historic)) 750 V DC, overhead Used on several tram systems: Edinburgh Trams Manchester Metrolink Sheffield Supertram Croydon Tramlink Nottingham Express Transit West Midlands Metro Other overhead systems Blackpool Tramway: originally 550VDC, in 2011 upgraded to 600 V to operate more modern rolling stock. The National Tramway