Press Release                  12 March 2010

No surprises for freight in HS2 report

The Rail Freight Group (RFG) has cautiously welcomed the publication of the new HS2 report, which details plans for the new high speed line that will run between London and the West Midlands.

Lord Andrew Adonis, Secretary of State for Transport, said: “Over the next twenty to thirty years the UK will require a step-change in transport capacity and connectivity both to promote and respond to long-term economic growth. However, this must be delivered sustainably, without unacceptable environmental impacts, and in line with the Government’s strategy to promote a low-carbon economy.

“High speed rail would be by far the most effective way to achieve this step-change, offering a balance of capacity, connectivity and sustainability benefits unmatched by any other option.

“The proposed high speed rail strategy I am setting out today (11 March) will now go forward to full public consultation in the autumn. Building this network would not only revolutionize Britain's transport, but would also present significant new opportunities for the UK’s design, engineering, construction and manufacturing sectors, creating new jobs and skills."

In response Tony Berkeley, chairman of the RFG, said: “No one really expected that the Department for Transport’s (DfT) High Speed Rail document would recommend use of the route by freight services – and in that regard the report is no surprise to us.

“To make optimal use of high speed capacity, you need all the trains to go at the same speed, and not to stop too often, which does not favour conventional freight services, however the new line is to be constructed to engineering standards suitable for freight, which means that overnight services, or high speed freight services remain possibilities.”

He went on to say: “This is important because the new route will offer the benefit of continental gauge deeper into the UK than is presently possible and does offer some opportunities for efficiency on continental traffic. The only problem is that there is as yet no commitment to building a connection between HS1 and HS2.”

The new report acknowledges that the main benefit for rail freight will be the capacity which the new line will create on the West Coast Main Line and other routes. It also makes it clear that, alongside passenger services, freight is expected to be able to benefit from the paths which are no longer required by the West Coast Intercity services.

Berkeley added: “This is of course vital because the West Coast corridor is one of the busiest freight routes in the country, and there are already capacity constraints in some sections.  The inverted ‘Y’ shaped route taking HS2 to Manchester and Leeds will also free up other capacity on other conventional lines for freight.

"One key concern for the future now, he said, "is the worry that construction of high speed lines will drain the rest of the railway of funding." 

The government also published a Command Paper setting out the stages of work that would be undertaken.

[ENDS]