Freight line spanning North could transform Britain like River Rhine

A FREIGHT rail transport system across the North to move goods between Liverpool and Hull could do for the region what the River Rhine does for commerce in central Europe and Germany, according to a Yorkshire MP.

Conservative Alec Shelbrooke told a Westminster Hall debate the “transformational” idea would allow freight to be brought into Hull from Europe and then taken by train to Liverpool where it could be exported off around the rest of the world.

Improving east- west connections is thought to be one of the keys to boosting the economy of the North, with firms like power generation company

Drax wanting to ship its fuel sources from Liverpool over to Hull.

Elmet and Rothwell MP Mr Shelbrooke, inset, told the debate on infrastructure in the North that there was value in long- term projects like HS2 alongside smaller projects.

He added: “Germany has been able to adapt its economy regularly as the world has changed and moved forward and the one fundamental truth about where and why that happens is the River Rhine.

“It is a huge transport link and a lot of engineering work has been done to link it to other rivers.

“Of course, we do not have that between Liverpool and Hull. The canal system was built but that is not what I am talking about. We need to look at a fundamental freight rail transport system that is akin to what the River Rhine does for commerce in central Europe and Germany. That is there to be built on.” Financial Secretary to the Treasury Jesse Norman said the idea was “optimistic” but added: “I respect the intent and energy behind it.”