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Archive
2015-09-30 RFG-001
Rail Freight Group
Government must ‘unpause’ rail freight enhancements
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Press release
Rail Freight Group
Government must ‘unpause’ rail freight enhancements
Rail Freight Group (RFG) has called on Government to urgently confirm that key rail upgrades for freight are to go ahead as planned. This follows today’s announcement that the Midland Main Line and Transpennine electrification schemes are to be ‘unpaused’.
Key freight schemes are presently amongst those included in Sir Peter Hendy’s review of Network Rail’s enhancement programme. The projects include the upgrade of the Felixstowe to Nuneaton route enabling more imported goods to move by rail, 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.
The uncertainty created by the review is causing concern for freight operators and customers who rely on rail freight as part of their logistics chains. To date, the upgrade between Ely and Soham, which increased freight capacity, has been cancelled, and other schemes are believed to be delayed.
Maggie Simpson, RFG Executive Director, said today, ‘We understand the funding pressures facing Network Rail across their enhancement programme, and the work underway to resolve this. But 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.’
[Ends]
Railnews Archive ::: 2015-09-30 RFG-001
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