New freight rail link under way

The work is expected to be completed by the end of 2008

The construction of a new freight link between the Port of Liverpool and the West Coast Main Line is under way with the laying of the tracks.

The £7.9m project involves reopening a disused stretch of railway between Olive Mount and Edge Lane junctions.

The line, about a quarter of a mile long, has been closed for 20 years.

According to Neil Scales from Merseytravel, the new freight line will help reduce the number of lorries using the local road network.

The scheme is due to be completed by the end of the year.

The new link will remove the need for freight trains to reverse at Edge Hill and cross lines into and out of Lime Street station and will cut the number of heavy vehicles passing through the Bootle from the motorway junction at Switch Island.

Mr Scales said: "Work is progressing well and this is an important step forward in a nationally significant project that will help to improve access to the Port of Liverpool.

"It will mean better access for trains to and from Liverpool as well as a number of places in the north of England and beyond."