Work on monitor, alerts and sidings add capability to the UK’s second largest container port.

Freight trains previously restricted to 520 meters in size may be prolonged to 775m, or 14 extra containers per prepare – which means companies between Southampton, the Midlands and the North can carry as much as 20% extra freight .

Six freight trains of 775m per day are scheduled to function from the Freightliner marine terminal in Redbridge. If every provides 14 containers, they may mix to maneuver 84 further containers of products per day.

Authorities to extend Southampton rail freight capability with £ 17million improve

Railways Minister Chris Heaton-Harris stated: “Finishing this freight improve won’t solely result in a greener and cheaper manner of transporting freight from Southampton, however will even considerably improve the quantity of freight. transported to and from the Midlands.

“Our freight trade has performed a significant function in serving to this nation by means of this pandemic. Our funding ensures that it’s going to proceed to play a central function in supporting our financial restoration. ”

Mark Killick, Community Rail’s Wessex Route Director, stated: “We’re very pleased to lastly full this bold undertaking and unlock extra capability for freight on our route. This was a posh undertaking that required us to put in longer sidings, a brand new monitor for heavier and sooner trains, improved signage and improved drainage, which is able to make the operation of essentially the most environment friendly space.

“We’re very grateful to our freight operators and our passengers for his or her endurance through the current line closures. We additionally thank those that reside close to the railroad tracks, who’ve witnessed a number of engineering work very near them over the previous two years.

Charlene Wallace, Director of Freight, Nationwide Passenger and Buyer Expertise, Community Rail, stated: “Completion of the Southampton Freight Practice Extension undertaking marks a key milestone in our plans to move greater than freight by rail throughout the nation.

“We now have lengthy sought to enhance the route between Southampton and Studying and may now supply our freight operators extra capability and better flexibility for his or her operations at an vital level in our community.”

This system is a lift for the three Port of Southampton rail freight operators, DB Cargo, GB Railfreight and Freightliner. Freightliner carries a median of as much as 24 container trains per day to and from its Redbridge marine terminal, whereas DB Cargo and GB Railfreight common as much as 18 trains per day. DB Cargo and GB Railfreight can now transport three various kinds of cargo to and from Southampton: intermodal containers, autos and gypsum.

Every container transported by rail has the identical capability as a heavy truck.