The European Commission has announced the first group of proejcts that will benefit from a total of 500 million Euros of investment in vital transport infrastructure projects across the EU.

This included confirmation of 9,234,000 Euros of funding for the Felixstowe to Nuneaton Route Work. 

This project aims to upgrade the Priority Axis 26 (railway/road axis Ireland/United Kingdom/continental Europe) from the Port of Felixstowe to the West Midlands and connections with Priority Axis 14 (West Coast Main Line) at Nuneaton.  This will facilitate the movement of international traffic by rail between the port and other UK regional distribution centres in the Midlands, North East, North West and central Scotland.

The route work will upgrade loading gauge capability specifically to enable the movement of 9'6" containers on one metre high flat bed wagons - the most economical means of moving containers by rail within the UK.  It will also provide increased capacity for intermodal freight services (to meet port forecasts up to 2030, and for a better loading/utilisation of intermodal services to 85% loading per train).

This increased capacity will:

• improve the network resilience for the movement of containers by rail from the port of Felixstowe.
• increase rail mode share.
• avoid additional intermodal services being routed via London (with consequential passenger benefits in the London area).
• support environmental sustainability.
• reduce road congestion on the A14 corridor.
• support regional policy objectives for transport, economic vibrancy and employment.