The Rail Freight Group has called on the government to confirm that key rail upgrades for freight are to go ahead as planned following the Department for Transport’s decision to “unpause” the Midland Main Line and Transpennine electrification schemes.
Sir Peter Hendy’s review of Network Rail’s enhancement programme includes freight projects such as the upgrade of the Felixstowe to Nuneaton route, work to enable longer, more efficient, trains to run from the Port of Southampton and from the Peak District quarries, and improving links to the new container terminal and biomass facility at the Port of Liverpool.
Maggie Simpson, RFG executive director, said: “The freight sector has waited long enough for confirmation that these critical schemes can go ahead as planned, and deliver the expected benefits. With progress today announced on other key schemes, government should make the same commitment for freight.”
