Here are some other examples of approved Railfreight grants.
Felixstowe to Ditton (Freightliner)
Southampton to Widnes (EWS)
Southampton to Liverpool (Freightliner)
Tilbury to Liverpool (Freightliner)
Felixstowe to Liverpool (Freightliner)
These are all Company Neutral Revenue Support grants (details contained in the link below.)
http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_freight/documents/page/dft_freight_039488.pdfIn addition , Track Access Grants have been approved for the following routes.
Tilbury to Knowsley (EWS)
Immingham to Knowsley (EWS)
These routes all either terminate , or pass through or near to the area shown in the map below.
http://www.derektwigg.org.uk/uploads/ukmap.jpgHere is another link on this area.
http://www.derektwigg.org.uk/sect3/Here is an article on Ditton freight village.
http://www.thisisworld.co.uk/cheshire/runcorn__widnes/changing_face/RUNCORN__WIDNES_CHANGING_FACE1.htmlQuotes from the above link :
"This giant rail park has been earmarked by the Government to become a site of regional significance."
"The ambitious masterplan has been given the green light with £28m investment over the next 15 years."
"It will create jobs and trigger a major programme of land reclamation. The site is next to the west coast line, which supports the Government's aim to get freight off the road and onto the railways.
"Haulage businessman Steve O'Connor of The O'Connor Group has invested in giant new cranes and teamed up with Maersk, the biggest logistics company in the world, to develop an intermodal depot."
"His vehicles emblazoned with the Mersey Gateway logo, supporting the second Mersey crossing, transport goods throughout the continent."
Here are some links on the Mersey Gateway Project.
http://www.merseygateway.co.uk/html/concerns.htmhttp://www.merseygateway.co.uk/index.htmhttp://www.derektwigg.org.uk/news/newsitem49.htmHere are links to the relevant sections of the Network Rail Business Plan 2006.
http://www.networkrail.co.uk/documents/3118_Route%2020%20North%20West%20Urban.pdfhttp://www.networkrail.co.uk/documents/3119_Route%2021%20Merseyrail.pdfhttp://www.networkrail.co.uk/documents/3116_Route%2018%20WCML.pdfhttp://www.networkrail.co.uk/documents/3120_Route%2022%20North%20Wales%20and%20Borders.pdfSome quotes from the above links :
"Demand for freight paths is expected to increase
on the core routes, in particular with regards to
domestic automotive and intermodal traffic.
Currently, terminal capacity is limited, but there are
proposals for 4 separate new intermodal terminals
in the Liverpool – Manchester belt, on Routes 18
and 20. It is estimated that the development of one
or more new intermodal terminals in the northwest
may result in an increase in traffic equivalent to 32
additional daily services by 10 years’ time. In
addition to these 4 potential terminals, there is
interest in opening up an intermodal terminal near
Northwich on the mid-Cheshire line.
The market for coal traffic on rail is expected to
grow in excess of GDP, as power stations start to
use more imported coal. The main port facility on
this route capable of handling coal is the Liverpool
Bulk Terminal at Alexandra Dock, and this is
conveniently located for power stations at Fiddlers
Ferry, Ironbridge and Ratcliffe."
"The high demand for coal for electricity generation
is likely to mean that the number of trains per day
from Ellesmere Port to Fiddlers Ferry will increase
from two to three. This flow may also act as a
catalyst for new freight flows from Ellesmere Port to
begin. We are working with Mersey Docks and
Harbour Company and English, Welsh and
Scottish Railway on a scheme to bring back into
use the line from Birkenhead docks towards
Bidston. This could introduce new freight flows,
notably including steel. However, the number and
timings of these trains will be dictated by the
operation of existing passenger services,
especially given the close proximity to the train
maintenance depot at Birkenhead North."
"Whilst NDS’s stone traffic from Penmaenmawr to
Crewe is expected to remain steady, the other
freight flows are likely to grow, and new flows may
appear. Ellesmere Port has reopened to rail freight
traffic. Not only is the existing flow of 2 coal trains a
day expected to grow to 3, but there is a possibility
that the reopening of the port will stimulate further
traffic. On the Ellesmere Port to Helsby line, the
connection to Kemira Fertilisers is expected to see
a return of freight traffic in 2006, initially associated
with Kemira, but with the possibility of further flows,
such as for glass traffic.
There is also a possibility that Birkenhead Docks
will reopen to rail freight traffic. Although unlikely to
involve a large number of daily train paths, it would
add more traffic to a busy freight line, and the
ultimate destination of the traffic may add to the
case for increasing capacity on the single line
between Wrexham and Chester (on Route 14).
There is still a desire to transport slate waste from
Blaenau Ffestiniog by rail. We continue to work with
the WAG and McAlpine to determine the scope of
work this would require."
"The rail freight industry has recently provided to
Network Rail a set of 10 year traffic forecasts as
part of the Freight RUS, and we are presently
assessing their implications. The key route sections
within this route that has been identified as a fragile
route and has clearly defined additional tonnage/
train numbers projected by the industry are: Crewe
Independent lines and Ditton – Garston slow lines."
Other key route sections identified are :
Wrexham – Bidston.
Mickle Trafford – Plumley.
Here is a link on the Olive Mount Chord track near Mersey Docks.
http://iccheshireonline.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0200businessfarmingnews/tm_objectid=17304908&method=full&siteid=50061&headline=fresh-hopes-for-rail-link-name_page.htmlQuote from the above link :
"Secretary of State for Transport, Douglas Alexander yesterday revealed that the Olive Mount Chord was one of several projects to be included in the government's productivity transport innovation fund."
A Parliamentary Written Question was recently asked on the transport innovation fund (link below.)
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmordbk1/60703w01.htmChris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the total estimated cost is of the schemes outlined by his Department as potentially eligible for the first round of Transport Innovation Fund funding; and what total funding is available for projects which receive this funding.
Here is a link on the new Liverpool South Parkway station which replaces Allerton and Garston stations.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/content/articles/2006/06/08/travel_lsp_opening_feature.shtmlGarston is also a key railfreight destination. Here is a link that mentions its services.
http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=286.msg773#msg773
Author
) to Basingstoke. I try and go from Melksham whenever I can; either via Chippenham and on to Reading and London (or Basingstoke) that way, or to Westbury and on to London Paddington via Pewsey and Reading, or even sometimes to London Waterloo via Salisbury if I'm not in too much of a hurry. I used to be able to get to Basingstoke via Westbury and Salisbury as well, but that service doesn't seem to run at a reasonable hour during the working day any more. 
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