Freight News, Rail

Rail group welcomes Transpennine plans

[ July 24, 2020   //   Chris ]

The Rail Freight Group (RFG) has welcomed Government’s announcement that freight capacity will be improved as part of the electrification and of the Transpennine route upgrade. However, with the plan not due till December, RFG is urging it to ensure that freight enhancements to deliver capacity and gauge clearance are accelerated to ensure they can be delivered as part of the already committed scheme. Most of these enhancements have already been studied and scoped in concept.

Lack of train paths across the north of England have become increasingly frustrating for northern ports such as those on Teesside or Liverpool trying to development multimodal links. It also means that biomass trains having to travel via the Midlands to get from Liverpool ton power stations in Yorkshire.

RFG northern representative, Mike Hogg, said: “We are pleased to see Government has listened to businesses who have clearly set out their aspirations to use more rail freight as part of their distribution networks. This project is vital in ensuring that those companies can deliver for the economy of the North, whilst also decarbonising their transport links.”

RFG director-general, Maggie Simpson added: “Businesses across the North are biting at the bit to integrate rail into their distribution networks. Today’s announcement is a welcome step forward, but Government must keep the pressure on and move from development to confirmed delivery as soon as possible.” 

Tags: Rail Freight Group, RFG