{"id":254431,"date":"2025-07-21T15:36:53","date_gmt":"2025-07-21T05:36:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.railfreight.com\/?p=64320"},"modified":"2025-07-21T15:36:53","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T05:36:53","slug":"90-of-uk-industry-calls-for-hs2-revival-to-boost-rail-freight-capacity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=254431","title":{"rendered":"90% of UK industry calls for HS2 revival to boost rail freight capacity"},"content":{"rendered":"

Britain\u2019s manufacturing sector has issued a powerful call to revive the shelved eastern leg of High Speed 2 (HS2). It would link Manchester and Leeds, as a strategic measure to free up vital capacity for rail freight. A new report published today, Monday 21 July, by Make UK and Barclays UK Corporate Bank reveals that almost nine in ten companies support the resurrection of the original high-speed route \u2014 and they\u2019re equally in favour of better rail links between the North\u2019s major cities.<\/strong>
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The report underscores how increased rail investment could unlock both environmental and economic benefits. It advocates for a logistics-driven vision of high-speed rail \u2014 one that supports freight growth, boosts connectivity with ports, improves access to labour markets, and forms the backbone of a multimodal freight network stretching from the East of England to the Northern Powerhouse.<\/p>\n

Manufacturers back HS2 revival<\/h2>\n

The survey, carried out among manufacturers by representative organisation Make UK<\/a> and Barclays UK Corporate Bank, found that 89 per cent of respondents want to see the original HS2 plan reinstated. The same proportion supports investment in fast rail connections between Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, Hull and Newcastle.<\/p>\n

\"Freight
Freight is playing a big role in delivering HS2 (this is just one of thousands of trains at the Quainton construction railhead). Make UK wants freight to have a future once the line is open. Image: \u00a9 HS2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For the industry, the stakes are clear. Without greater passenger capacity on the main lines, there\u2019s simply not enough room for rail freight to grow. That\u2019s a problem for the UK government. Westminster has committed to increasing rail freight volumes by 75 per cent by 2050. At the same time, it’s trying to decarbonise an estimated 12 million road freight journeys a year.<\/p>\n

Multi-modal logistics spine proposed<\/h2>\n

Make UK says the solution lies in a coordinated, spine-based logistics strategy running through the heart of England. A high-speed corridor, enhanced with strategically located freight terminals, could tie together the UK\u2019s largest port and busiest rail freight terminal at Felixstowe, the innovation hub of the Oxford-Cambridge Arc (being connected by East West Rail<\/a>), and the manufacturing heartlands of Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester.<\/p>\n

Inspiration comes from continental Europe, where France has successfully developed multimodal freight hubs and is investing in wagonload rail freight<\/a>. Locations like Ely Junction and Trafford Park are singled out as potential logistics linchpins, offering economies of scale, better labour access, and a link between skills and innovation.<\/p>\n

\"East
East West Rail, between Oxford and Cambridge, is not a high-speed line, but is carrying freight ahead of passenger service introduction. Image: \u00a9 East West Rail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Industry voices unite behind freight reform<\/h2>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s clear that the current levels of rail capacity aren\u2019t suitable for the levels of freight traffic the government is predicting in the future,\u201d said Verity Davidge, director of policy at Make UK. \u201cIf the industry is to make greater use of rail, we need the extra capacity which a high-speed link for passenger traffic would free up. That, in turn, creates a valuable opportunity to invest in multimodal hubs connecting ports and inland logistics.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lee Collinson, head of manufacturing, transport and logistics at Barclays UK Corporate Bank, added: \u201cBy addressing key barriers and enhancing rail freight, we can achieve significant environmental benefits, reduce lorry journeys, and improve road safety. Upgrading and integrating our road, rail, and port systems is crucial for boosting productivity and supporting long-term competitiveness.\u201d<\/p>\n