E-W Rail Position Paper
RAIL FREIGHT GROUP (RFG) East-West Rail Position Paper 18 July 2017 RAIL FREIGHT GROUP (RFG) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The reopening of East West Rail link will play a vital role in supporting economic development of the Oxford-Cambridge corridor, including new housing and infrastructure. Rail freight has a significant role to play in supporting and servicing that development, in supply of construction materials and in facilitating efficient logistics for consumer goods. Estimates suggest that some 85,000+ homes are planned in the corridor over the next twenty years. As each freight train can move the equivalent of 30 houses worth of building materials, and keep up to 75 lorries off the roads, it is clear that encouraging rail freight must be a key imperative. To demonstrate the potential of the route, we have produced a position paper outlining where rail freight is already successfully operating, and where the reopened route offers opportunities for growth. Yet this cannot happen unless rail freight is planned from the outset, particularly given that new and different approaches to funding, construction and operation are being considered. We therefore urge Government to ensure that rail freight is a key part of the development of this route. EAST - WEST RAIL: FREIGHT POTENTIAL 1. Route and Infrastructure capability This study has assumed the route of East- West Rail (E-WR) phase one to be Oxford North Junc. – Bicester Gavray Junc. - Claydon LNE junc. – Bletchley Flyover Junc. – Bedford St. Johns – Bedford Midland. The route of Phase Two is, at present, unclear but will link the Phase One route at Bedford to Cambridge, with a link on to the ECML in the St.
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