14.05.08
£40 million to keep railways moving in Nuneaton
Network Rail has announced plans to invest more than £40 million to build a new rail freight link in Nuneaton. Known as the Nuneaton North Chord, the new line – approximately one mile long – will allow freight to cross from Peterborough to the West Coast Main Line without disrupting passenger services.
This is a vital investment to help increase the amount of freight carried by rail in Britain and is funded from the Department for Transport’s ‘Transport Innovation Fund’. Building the chord could take as many as 225,000 lorries a year off the road and will also improve the performance and reliability of passenger services locally and as far away as London.
The new line is planned to go over the old Two Bridges allotment site and then run alongside the West Coast Main Line before joining it near to Caldecote Lane.
Network Rail is now looking to hear from Nuneaton residents, before putting in an application for permission to build the line later this year. If granted, work could start before summer 2009, with the line in use by December 2010.
Peter Strachan, route director for Network Rail said: “This is a key project which will allow us to improve Britain’s railway and at the same time bring clear environmental benefits. So we can reach the best solution for everyone we want to involve the local community and are keen to hear from any Nuneaton residents with comments or questions about our proposals.”
The remainder of the £80 million will be invested in the modification of 30 structures on the Peterborough to Nuneaton line to improve freight movements. This includes the rebuilding of ten bridges and alterations to Stamford station to allow the passage of 9’ 6” high shipping containers.
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