"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.