The UK''s Peel Ports has welcomed a new joint report by the UK government and Transport for the North (TfN) detailing a blueprint to get Northern England better connected and allow greater movement of freight to and from ports.
The report includes details of a new TransNorth rail system with connects to the UK's new HS2 rail network and sets out how the North’s strategic road network could be enhanced through strategic planning, investment and technology.
Gary Hodgson, chief operating officer, Peel Ports Group, said: “Peel Ports has committed over £550m to the redevelopment of the Port of Liverpool and Manchester Ship Canal but the development of the port and canal network is just one part of the infrastructure strategy that is required to drive international trade, jobs and economic growth in the north.”
He said that proposals put forward by TfN to transform connectivity across the north through the delivery of improved road and rail systems will allow greater movement of people and freight in and around cities and to and from the ports.
Added to this, a world-class, integrated transport network for the north will help transform the northern economy by creating one of the most competitive business locations in the UK maximising its contribution to the commercial interests of the UK.
The report was launched during a recent visit to the Port of Liverpool and the new Liverpool2 container terminal development by the UK Transport Secretary, Patrick McLoughlin.
When completed in late 2015, Liverpool2 will enable the container handling capacity at the Port of Liverpool to be doubled from 750,000 teu to 1.5m teu per annum.
