Rosie Winterton MP, Minister of State for Transport, yesterday visited Hull Port, to see the final work of a £14.5 million project to more than double capacity on the rail freight line.

This investment is part of the first scheme to be delivered by Network Rail under the Government's Transport Innovation Fund. The works have also received funding from The Northern Way and Yorkshire Forward. Associated British Ports (ABP) has also invested £2.85m on its infrastructure.

Rosie Winterton said: "I am delighted to visit Hull Port to see how TIF funding is delivering real benefits to business and supporting regional development. This train line improves the connectivity of ports throughout the Humber area strengthening its role as an economic driver for this region, the North and the UK as a whole."

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The Hull Docks capacity works are the first stage of a package of improvements designed to improve rail freight access to the ports at Hull and Immingham; bringing substantial economic and environmental benefits to the region.

Neil Henry, route director for Network Rail said: "Freight routes are vital in supporting the ports as they expand to meet international demand. This work is the first step to allow the ports at Hull and Immingham to continue to expand. Network Rail is delighted to be delivering this scheme which more than doubles the capacity of the Hull Docks Branch.

"Completion of this work in parallel with the Brigg line freight upgrade - which ends in late June - also marks the successful completion of the first key elements of the Humber Ports capacity freight programme."

Terry Hodgkinson, chair of Yorkshire Forward, also said: "The Humber Ports contribute over £250 million a year to the regional economy and support over 47,000 jobs. Increasing the capacity of the Hull Docks Branch Line is an important first step in improving rail access to the Humber Ports. This is an important priority in the Regional Economic Strategy, for the Northern Way and for the country as a whole."

(JM/CD)