A
lobby
group


representing
manufacturers
and
a
major
bank
are
urging
the
government
to
think
again
about
the
abandoned
sections
of
HS2
to
Manchester
and
Leeds.

Make
UK
and
Barclays
UK
Corporate
Bank
have
published
a
survey
of
companies’
views
and
say
building
the
rest
of
HS2
would
release
paths
for
rail
freight
on
existing
lines.

The
survey
claims
that
89
per
cent
of
the
companies
questioned
were
in
favour
of
building
the
rest
of
HS2,
while
a
similar
proportion
supports
faster
connections
between
Liverpool,
Manchester,
Sheffield,
Hull
and
Newcastle.

Make
UK
said
reviving
HS2
and
therefore
providing
more
capacity
elsewhere
is
essential
if
the
government
is
to
meet
its
target
of
a
75
per
cent
increase
in
rail
freight
by
2050
while
reducing
carbon
emissions
from
the
estimated
12
million
journeys
which
will
be
made
by
lorry
in
25
years
from
now.

Make
UK
also
said
investment
in
the
rail
network
would
yield
major
economic
benefits,
such
as
linking
Felixstowe
with
the
Oxford-Cambridge
Arc.
It
pointed
to
freight
hubs
on
the
French
model
as
the
way
forward
at
sites
such
as
Ely
Junction
and
Trafford
Park.

Make
UK
director
of
policy
Verity
Davidge
said:
‘It’s
clear
that
the
current
levels
of
rail
capacity
aren’t
suitable
for
the
levels
of
freight
traffic
the
Government
is
predicting
in
the
future.
As
a
result,
if
industry
is
to
make
greater
use
of
rail
then
we
need
the
extra
capacity
which
a
high
speed
link
for
passenger
traffic
would
free
up.
This
would
provide
a
valuable
opportunity
to
invest
in
multi
mode
hubs
which
would
improve
connectivity
between
our
major
ports
and
better
integrate
road
and
rail
routes
through
the
spine
of
the
country.’

Lee
Collinson
is
head
of
manufacturing,
transport
and
logistics
at
Barclays
UK
Corporate
Bank.
He
added:
‘It’s
important
that
UK
transport
infrastructure
is
at
the
forefront
of
discussions
among
policymakers.
Upgrading
and
integrating
our
road,
rail,
and
port
systems
is
crucial
for
boosting
productivity,
decarbonising
transport,
and
supporting
long-term
competitiveness.
By
addressing
key
barriers
and
enhancing
rail
freight,
we
can
achieve
significant
environmental
benefits,
reduce
lorry
journeys,
and
improve
road
safety.’

It’s
reported
that
89
per
cent
of
manufacturers
regard
road
as
their
main
mode
of
transport,
while
38
per
cent
see
rail
investment
as
critical
for
‘just
in
time’
deliveries.

Cost
is
a
major
deterrent
for
45
per
cent
of
companies
considering
rail
freight,
while
39
per
cent
mentioned
lack
of
access
to
local
terminals.

Make
UK
and
Barclays
said
the
cost
per
tonne
in
kilometres
for
rail
freight
has
increased
by
10
per
cent
in
the
last
decade
compared
to
3
per
cent
for
road.

The
present
Labour
government
has
consistently
refused
to
revive
the
sections
of
HS2
which
were
abandoned
by
the
previous
Conservative
government,
although
despite
major
financial
concerns
it
has
said
that
the
London-Birmingham
section
will
be
completed.

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