Central Railway "ready to move on" to next phase of development
Central Railway, the company proposing to build a lorries-on-trains rail link from Liverpool to Lille, is ready to move on to the next phase of its development, its Chairman Andrew Gritten will tell supporters this week. He will highlight the variety of advances made by the company over the past two years, advances which have allowed the project to move forward to the next stage of approval, including: - the successful rolling out of the OJEC process inviting expressions of interest in tendering for the project, which confirmed interest in the market for the project.
- the publication of the widely welcomed 'M25' freight bypass around London
- the recent appointment of senior SNCF executive Thierry Mignauw to the board, and
- the continuing consultation on the proposed route with local authorities and other
interest parties
"The time is right for Central Railway. The recent fuel crisis has put back into focus the burning question of how we make effective use of our transport system. Central Railway holds out the prospect of reduced congestion leading to a better national environment and increased economic activity."
"All the evidence is that the public wants more use to be made of rail freight, and our plans are a real response to those demands. We are now in the process of initiating talks with Government on the next stage of the project, that being to secure Parliamentary approval for the scheme. Central Railway is now confident that it offers a real opportunity for Ministers to transform our transport system at no cost to the taxpayer."
Notes to Editors- Central Railway is proposing to design, build and operate a new lorries-on-trains rail link connecting the North West to northern France. The line will run from Liverpool, via Manchester, Sheffield, the Midlands and London, through the Channel Tunnel to Lille in Northern France. While the railway will be primarily for freight, it will be open to all freight and passenger operators. In constructing the new line it is intended that a majority of the route will involve upgrading and reinstating existing or disused railways. The railway will create a unique link into Europe as the only railway able to carry standard European freight and passenger trains (as well as any UK train) and standard road haulage equipment.
- Independent estimates have indicated that Central Railway will generate some 5000 construction jobs alone over the five years of building. In addition, about 2000 permanent new railway jobs will be generated. Early studies have suggested that a further 6000 jobs will be created as a result of the improved transport links the railway would provide.
- Thierry Mignauw, 51, has held a number of senior positions within SNCF including: Regional Director, SNCF Northern France Region (1992-96); Managing Director, SNCF Main Lines (1996-97); Director General, Passenger Services (1997-98); Director General, Operations (1998-99); and Member of the Executive Committee of the Main SNCF Board (1997-2000).
- He is currently Special Adviser to the SNCF President, Louis Gallois. He is also Chairman of CDG Express, a joint venture which is planning to build an express rail link between Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and central Paris.