Network Rail has allocated £206 million for the development of the strategic rail freight network over the next five years, according to industry’s Strategic Business Plan for 2014-2019.
The aim is to remove the equivalent of one million lorry journeys off the road per year with freight tonne kilometres forecast to increase by 22 per cent.
The money will be used to fund improvements identified by the industry to continue rail freight expansion in England & Wales while stimulating wider economic growth and environmental benefits.
Network Rail said it was working with stakeholders to identify the best use of available funds and to deliver schemes that are funded by the SFN programme
Since privatisation, there has been a 62 per cent increase in freight moved by rail.
