An additional £17m is to be invested into a major rail upgrade to freight services in Southampton, with investment in track and signalling infrastructure to support the lengthening of freight trains

Freight services are currently restricted to a length of 520 metres in the Southampton area. This new investment will see this rise to 775 metres, significantly increasing capacity and allowing an additional seven trailers to be transported on a single service.

Rail ministers say the upgrade to freight capacity will give a boost to the nation’s economy and the country’s second-busiest container port, increasing the volume of goods transported to and from the Midlands.

Ministers also say these improvements to existing infrastructure also offer a green alternative for local industry, reducing the reliance on road traffic, cutting congestion and increasing the efficiency of industry.

Chris Heaton-Harris, rail minister, said: “The injection of funding into the expansion of freight capacity will have a profound effect. Not only will this lead to a greener and more cost-efficient way to transport freight from Southampton, but the economic benefits will also be substantial.

“Our freight industry has played an integral role through this pandemic, helping keep this country moving, and this investment will ensure it continues to support our economic recovery.”

Mark Killick, Network Rail’s Wessex route director, said: “The railway in Southampton plays a vital role in bringing goods into the country and sending exports overseas. Our upgrades will support up to 14 extra containers for each train, providing a great boost for Britain’s freight network and those businesses relying on it to transport goods to stock shops, and materials for industry.

“It will also help cut down on greenhouse gas emissions, as each container has around the same carrying capacity as a single heavy goods vehicle.”