Joint study with the Strategic Rail Authority

Two White Papers, ‘The Future of Rail’ and ‘The Future of Transport: A Network for 2030’, were published in July 2004. The White Papers set out the Government’s commitment to encouraging rail freight, viewing its growth as an important contribution to its sustainable development strategy.

A major consideration in assessing the impacts of FSR was the ability to move containers on the national rail network in line with Government policy, and HPUK’s aspiration to facilitate the movement of freight by rail. In response to the FSR proposals, a joint study team, comprising HPUK and the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA), with input from Network Rail, was formed to examine and report on the impacts arising from FSR. The study looked at rail capacity and gauge clearance requirements (i.e. works to bridges and stations). At the FSR Inquiry, it was agreed between HPUK and the SRA that, to accommodate both the additional rail traffic generated by FSR, and the natural growth in rail freight movements to/from the Port, works on the national rail network would be required. These include:

• gauge clearance works on the East Coast Main Line to Doncaster;
• works to increase the freight capacity of the Felixstowe Branch Line (FBL) and the marshalling yard in Ipswich.

It was agreed that HPUK would fund these capacity enhancement schemes.