DB Schenker Rail UK have now increased its railfreight services from the London Gateway port near Corringham to five a week.
Intermodal services from London Gateway to Trafford Park leave on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays with additional services leaving on Tuesdays and Thursdays to DB Schenker’s Wakefield terminal.
London Gateway now despatches more than 30% of the port’s cargo by rail. DB Schenker also runs trains from the port to South Wales.
Head of Intermodal at DB Schenker Rail UK, Adrian Fleming, said: “At DB Schenker Rail UK we are pleased to be introducing these new services for the benefit of our current, and future, intermodal customers. Rail freight is an attractive cog in the supply chain because it gives businesses a cost efficient and environmentally friendly solution to moving goods across the country, as well as internationally.”
Nick Hollinghurst, Herts County Councillor for Tring & the Villages commented,
“The freight capacity of the West Coast Mainline that serves South West Hertfordshire is getting close to its limit and far too much container traffic is still being carried by road up the M1. Service improvements like this will help a great deal. What we really need, however, is the speedy completion of the improvement programme for the Felixstowe to Nuneaton railfreight route. Putting in more of the new 750 metre passing loops – especially on the branch line to Felixstowe docks – will improve capacity considerable and speed more containers more safely and more efficiently across the East of England region to destinations in the North and the North West. This will also help relieve pressure on the overcrowded A14.”
Nigel Quinton, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for South West Herts added,
“If we then go on as planned by the Liberal Democrats to electrify more rail lines, we could make very useful reductions to the UK’s carbon footprint. Electric haulage for railfreight is far more efficient than diesel haulage. It will also reduce air pollution by particulates dramatically compared to old fashioned one-container/one-lorry road transport.”