Freight transport plan for East

Felixstowe has the biggest container port in the UK

A major strategy on freight transport in the East of England is needed to meet future challenges, says a report.

The new strategy is needed to improve freight distribution on road and rail networks in a region that includes the UK's biggest container port Felixstowe.

This week the East of England Regional Assembly's (EERA) will be asked to back the drawing up of the plan.

EERA says in the report it has already identified short-term priority for investment in rail freight.

The report said EERA is looking at the need to upgrade the Felixstowe to Nuneaton rail line.

In the longer term improvements to the Peterborough to Doncaster line and the Peterborough to Hertford Loop Gauge should be looked at, says the report.

It also says improvements to road freight access on the A14, A12, A120 and A13 in the eastern region should be considered.

The report proposes that a Regional Freight Strategy should be drawn up to cover a period of at least 20 years.