2016-11-04 New era for the West Coast mainline as government confirms future operator will also run HS2 services (Department for Transport)

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date 4 November 2016
source Rail Freight Group
type Press release

Government has today announced a new West Coast Partnership to develop future services on the West Coast Main Line and HS2.

Maggie Simpson, RFG executive director said,

‘This is a pragmatic move by Government for developing high speed passenger services, but makes no reference to how the needs of other network users will be included.

With 95% of today’s intermodal services using the West Coast at some point, and strong prospects of future growth in many markets it is imperative that capacity for freight is fully included in network planning.

Government needs to clarify how it expects the Partnership to work with freight operators and their customers in building a shared future on this vital artery.’

[ENDS]

Notes to editors:

1. Government’s announcement can be found here [https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-announces-new-rail-franchise-for-inter-city-west-coast-with-the-introduction-of-high-speed-2-services]

For further information, please contact Maggie Simpson, Executive Director, at maggie@rfg.org.uk or on 07737 007957.
For press enquiries, please contact: James Falkner, RFG Media Officer at james@rfg.org.uk or on 07753 271 110.

Rail Freight Group
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Tel 020 3116 0007
Fax 020 3116 0008

contact@rfg.org.uk

Rail Freight (Users and Suppliers) Group
Registered No. 332 4439
www.rfg.org.uk
Twitter @railfreightUK

Railhub Archive ::: 2016-11-04 RFG-001