Containers packed with Christmas gifts leaving the Port of Southampton for retailers in Yorkshire and the north east and are being taken by rail thanks to new freight services EWS has launched from this major port to Wakefield and Widnes.

The new freight services have been introduced to meet peak pre-Christmas demand from shipping lines for containers to be moved to warehouses and terminals for onward distribution to high street stores across Britain.

EWS has been able to introduce the services following an increase in capacity at its terminal in the Port of Southampton. This enhancement project will increase the number of trains EWS will operate daily from the Port of Southampton, enabling more containers to be moved by rail.

The Christmas return services will: operate between the Port of Southampton and Wakefield on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays and operate between the Port of Southampton and Widnes on Thursdays and Saturdays

Both these services complement existing daily EWS trains to Wakefield and Widnes, and, importantly, are able to haul 9ft 6" sized containers.

The introduction of these new services, specifically for the Christmas market, is part of EWS's objective to provide capacity for on-rail services exactly where and when shipping lines demand it. Duncan Clark, EWS Business Development Manager, said: "This time of year always sees an increase in container activity as goods for Christmas are moved to distribution centres. By responding to demand from shipping lines for these seasonal services, we are able to show our responsiveness and demonstrate our reliable operations. This commitment to shipping lines by EWS will be followed early next year with additional capacity for a range of new container services that will operate to and from the Port of Southampton"