Rail investment a big boost for Southampton's docks
29th October 2007
New government funding means that large-scale containers will, in the future, be transported to and from Southampton docks by rail rather than by road, as is the case at present. The new funding will be a massive boost to port economy and to the local environment.
Labour MPs John Denham (Southampton Itchen) and Alan Whitehead (Southampton Test) have welcomed the Government’s announcement today of an investment of £42.83 million pounds in the Solent to Midlands Advancement of Rail Transport (SMART) project.
The project will enhance the gauge on rail track between South Hampshire and the Midlands, the UK’s major freight corridor, so that new, larger containers can be carried by rail. As well as the money from the Department for Transport, substantial contributions will be made by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), Network Rail, Associated British Ports (APB) and Southampton Container Terminals(SCT) and the European Regional Development Fund. The two rail freight companies EWS and Freightliner will also be putting money into the project.
SEEDA estimates that reduced congestion on the roads in the Southampton and Winchester area alone will generate an increase of £13.6m in gross domestic product (GDP).
John Denham said “This is a fantastic boost to Southampton. It is a real statement of Government confidence in the future prosperity and importance of our port on which so many jobs rely. I'm grateful to the Transport Ministers who have taken a personal interest in the development of the project.”
Alan Whitehead said “As well as helping to ensure the future competitiveness of the docks, this project will deliver huge environmental benefits by reducing the amount of freight transported by lorry and sending it by rail. John Denham and I have lobbied hard for this project and I am delighted it is going ahead.”
Construction work on SMART is expected to start in April 2008.
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