Coalition Government Announces Big Investment in Railfreight

The railfreight industry has welcomed today's announcement (16 July 2012) by the Coalition Government of major investments in a new Strategic Railfreight Network. DB Schenker Rail UK described it as "the biggest upgrade to the rail network in years".

Follows the investment of £55 million in the freight network announced last November, rail freight will benefit from a further £200 million to deliver core routes that enable longer, faster and bigger freight trains to operate. In addition, the proposed electrification of the Great Western and the Midland Main Lines will also benefit railfreight, enabling operators to deliver services with electric haulage, which substantially reduces carbon emissions.

DB Schenker Rail UK said, "All these measures help ensure that the UK has an expanding rail freight sector, which continues to deliver efficiencies through cost reduction. Combined with the Government's planning framework to support Strategic Rail Freight Interchanges and a commitment for stable and affordable rail freight track access charges, [today's]statement is a pro-freight announcement