Government gives green light to rail freight expansion.

16th July 2012
 

Responding to the Government’s rail funding announcements today (16th July) 1

Philippa Edmunds, Freight on Rail Manager said,

“This continued expansion of the rail freight network will stimulate the economy and create green jobs and relieve long distance road congestion.

“Consumer rail freight continues to grow 2 and these upgrades will unlock suppressed demand for long distance rail freight services out of the ports and on key arterial routes. Rail is well placed to offer reliable long distance services to customers who want a robust cost effective service by a combination of the most appropriate freight modes.”
 

Notes to Editors

1. High Level Output Specification (HLOS) for the next control period 2014-2019

http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/hlos-2012

i) £200m for the Strategic (Rail) Freight Network (SFN)
Additionally, the following projects are the main schemes which will benefit freight and passenger services:-
ii) Reconstruction of Ely North Junction
iii) Leicester area capacity
iv) Electric Spin – Southampton Port to Basingstoke, Basingstoke – Reading- Oxford –Banbury – Leamington Spa – Coventry
v) Capacity upgrades to the West and East Coast Mainline
vi) Great Western electrification

2. Despite the recession, the latest Office of Rail Regulation figures for the year 2011/12 show total tonne kms up 10% and intermodal freight up 11% on previous year which represents the 9th consecutive year of growth for consumer rail freight