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Green light for £60m Felixtowe rail freight

Rail freight

A £60.4m Network Rail project to increase capacity of the freight line into Felixtowe has been given the go-ahead by government and the Port of Felixtowe. The scheme, which involves dualling a section of the freight line at Trimley just outside Felixtowe, will allow a further 14 train paths to be added daily – the equivalent of 840 lorry loads potentially transferring from road to rail, Network Rail says.

The Trimley project is being funded through NR's Strategic Freight Network with a contribution of Hutchison Ports UK. Work is expected to get under way within coming months. The scheme, promoted as beneficial for allowing improvements to cross-country passenger services as well, involves closing six level crossings and upgrading four more.

Network Rail's route managing director for Anglia, Meliha Duymaz, said: “We’re improving the Felixstowe branch line to provide a step change for rail freight in Suffolk and beyond as part of our Railway Upgrade Plan. We’re supporting the growth of the UK economy by enabling more goods to be transported on the railway and reducing the number of lorries on the road. The work will also create a safer and more reliable railway for passengers travelling between Ipswich and Felixstowe.”