HS2 northern route essential for rail freight growth

The announcement today (Monday 28 January 2013) of the Government’s preferred route for the High Speed 2 rail line across the north of England, enables the delivery of essential additional capacity and growth opportunities for rail freight.

While the HS2 project creates additional capacity on the existing West Coast Main Line, providing room for additional freight trains between the major centres of production and consumption on that line, ensuring the new high speed line is built to accommodate continental sized trains and is linked to HS1 will enhance trading links between the north of England and Scotland with mainland Europe.

Alain Thauvette, Chief Executive of DB Schenker Rail UK, said: “We welcome the Government’s announcement on the route of HS2 in northern England. HS2 provides additional capacity for rail freight growth on the West Coast Main Line, while the new high speed route can become a major rail freight artery to mainland Europe. By linking HS1 and HS2 together, a route for continental sized freight trains from northern England to mainland Europe would be created enhancing trading links for manufacturing companies.”