Andrew Duff welcomes inclusion of East-West railway line as EU priority
October 1, 2003 12:00 AM
The European Commission today, Wednesday 1 October, approved a new list of 'priority projects' for trans-European transport networks. The upgrading of the Felixstowe to Nuneaton railway line is now to be treated as a priority.
Andrew Duff, Lib Dem MEP for the East of England, welcomed the decision and said:
"The inclusion of the Felixstowe-Nuneaton railway as a priority project is a great boost for the East of England. This rail link should have been a priority for the government many years ago, as Felixstowe harbour provides for over 30 per cent of all container traffic in the UK. Users of the A14 will only be too aware of the dangers and congestion caused by lorry traffic.
"Commission support for this project will assist the region in obtaining both central government and EU funding. Around 20 per cent of the investment will have to be found from private sources. The European Union hopes that this project will be completed by 2011.
"The up-grading of the East-West rail link will further promote the ports of Felixstowe-Harwich, boost the competitivity of the East of England and help with the protection of the environment.
"It is now up to the Government to take action and move quickly to support this project. If the Commission in Brussels considers it worthwhile, it would be a serious mistake for Whitehall to miss this opportunity for rail infrastructure improvement.
"I will be strongly backing the new Commission proposal."
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