RFG backs northern transport plan

The Rail Freight Group has welcomed Transport for the North’s draft Strategic Transport Plan.

Executive director Maggie Simpson said: “Transport for the North have recognised that businesses in the north of England want to use more rail for transporting their goods, between ports and consumers and into rail linked warehouses, quarries and production facilities. These plans for upgrading the railways and for large scale modal shift to rail are therefore good news for rail freight operators and customers.

“In particular, the plan confirms support for the upgrade of the north Transpennine route, where development work is currently underway. We have been working to ensure that capacity and gauge for freight is fully incorporated as a core part of the work, and this must now be urgently confirmed as this vital project moves forward.”