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High Speed 2 approval secures rail freight growth

The Government's decision to approve the High Speed 2 rail route will guarantee additional capacity on the West Coast Main Line for rail freight services, DB Schenker Rail UK confirmed today.

Alain Thauvette, chief executive of DB Schenker Rail (UK) Ltd, said:  "We welcome the Government's decision to approve the construction of the High Speed 2 rail route from London to Birmingham. This investment will deliver wider benefits as it provides additional capacity for rail freight growth on the West Coast Main Line, the route of major consumption and production in the UK. This, combined with the continued investment in the Strategic Rail Freight Network, underlines the Government's commitment to develop rail infrastructure for rail freight to deliver modal shift from road."

Mr Thauvette continued:  "In the long term we urge the Government to connect both the High Speed 1 and High Speed 2 rail routes in London. By linking both these lines together, a route for continental sized freight trains from northern England to mainland Europe would be created enhancing trading links for manufacturing companies based there."

During November 2011, DB Schenker Rail UK introduced continental sized freight trains from Poland to the UK using High Speed 1.