10-Feb-2005

The Port of Felixstowe is celebrating the introduction of a new rail service by Freightliner Limited. In response to growing demand for rail services from Britain’s premier port, Freightliner has launched an additional service to Widnes; further enhancing Felixstowe’s links with the important markets of the North of England.

Trains depart from the Port’s North Terminal at 07.33hrs, Tuesday to Saturday. The return trip arrives back at the Port at 12.47hrs.

Freightliner is also due to launch an additional service between Felixstowe and Manchester towards the end of February.

Richard Pearson, Managing Director of Hutchison Ports (UK) Limited, said:

“We are extremely encouraged by Freightliner’s continued commitment to improving rail services at the Port of Felixstowe. We are keen to support initiatives that reduce the number of vehicles on the UK’s road network, and we are working with the relevant bodies within the rail industry to bring on stream the necessary infrastructure improvements to meet this growing need.”

There are now a total of 23 inbound and 22 outbound trains per day from the Port of Felixstowe’s North and South Rail terminals. These trains link the Port to Coatbridge (Glasgow), Trafford Park (Manchester), Liverpool, Leeds, Cleveland, Birmingham, Cardiff, Tilbury, Doncaster, Selby, Widnes, Hams Hall, and Daventry. The Port also handles two forest products trains per day at its dedicated paper-handling rail terminal.