The Department for Transport announced a funding contribution on 25 July 2007 to enhance the Gospel Oak to Barking railway line in London for freight.

This £18.5 million contribution to the enhancement programme will enable the line to transport more freight from key ports in the south east, particularly from the recently approved Port of London Gateway. The upgrade will allow international sized containers (9ft 6”) to be moved on the route as well as providing an alternative route for freight trains around London.

The movement of containers by rail represents one of the largest rail freight growth opportunities over the next few years, and this network enhancement will result in these boxes travelling on trains rather than the congested road network. With freight trains producing five times less carbon emissions per tonne mile moved than road haulage, this is also a significant step forward in lowering carbon emissions.

Graham Smith, EWS Planning Director, said: “The Department for Transport has further reinforced its development of a sustainable railway with this funding announcement today. Coming the day after the publication of the White Paper on the development of a sustainable railway, it clearly shows momentum to develop the railway for freight users and achieve a 30% growth in rail freight volumes by 2014.”