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Notes to editors

The first train to use the new line was 6Y54, the 1.45 pm from Harpenden (Hertfordshire) to Basford Hall (Crewe) ballast train on 21 October.

The Nuneaton North Chord extends from the north-west fringe of Nuneaton, approximately 600m to the north west of the existing railway station. It leaves the Birmingham to Leicester line near Two Bridges and runs parallel to the west coast main line (WCML) for approximately 0.9 miles before rejoining the WCML near Canal Farm. The new chord allows freight trains to join the WCML via a dedicated track rather than crossing the four existing lines at track level.

Improving the railway from Felixstowe to Nuneaton involves:

• Gauge enhancements between Peterborough and Nuneaton to ensure the entire route can carry the larger, more economical freight containers increasingly preferred by global shipping firms. It also enables freight operators to use standard wagons which are more efficient and economical.
• Capacity enhancements between Ipswich and Peterborough: (i) a new 0.7 mile stretch of track, or chord, north of Ipswich goods yard, linking the East Suffolk and Great Eastern lines (ii) doubling of the line from Ely to Soham including looping facilities for longer trains at Ely iii) signalling work at Kennett / Bury St Edmunds

The Felixstowe to Nuneaton freight upgrade scheme will bring the following benefits:

Environmental
Rail is one of the most environmentally sustainable forms of transport. Rail freight produces 76% less carbon dioxide than road freight per tonne carried, so the greater transfer of freight from road to rail as a result of this scheme will significantly reduce carbon emissions and help the UK reduce its carbon footprint.

Efficiency
High cube containers are larger than standard containers, and therefore more items can be transported within them, making them a more efficient means of distributing goods. Rail can therefore be a cheaper, quicker and a more practical way for businesses to transport their goods around the country and beyond. At present high cube containers are too big to be carried on standard height platform wagons on much of the rail network. Therefore the only way to carry them by rail is on special low wagons. However, this reduces efficiency and capacity by up to 33%.

Economic growth

The upgraded rail freight link will improve the competitiveness and encourage economic growth across Britain. This project will also make it easier to import and export goods, helping Britain compete more effectively in the global market.

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