Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Port of Liverpool: New Rail Link

Thursday 28 January 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department is increasing rail freight at the port of Liverpool by enhancing the Bootle branch line, doubling capacity from one to two freight paths per hour each way.
  • Doubling capacity on the Bootle branch line is expected to meet forecast demand for the foreseeable future.
  • Recent forecasts indicate demand for 40 trains per day in each direction by 2043.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Bill Esterson Lab Sefton Central
Transport
Context

The question addresses the potential for a new rail link to enhance freight transportation and reduce carbon emissions. It references previous assessments of rail capacity improvements.

Question

What assessment has been made of the potential merits of a new rail link at the port of Liverpool?

Answer from Andrew Stephenson

The Department is increasing rail freight at the port of Liverpool by enhancing the Bootle branch line. This will double capacity from one to two freight paths per hour each way, and will be completed later this year.

Answered
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Q2 Bill Esterson Lab Sefton Central
Transport Climate Energy
Context

The question builds on the initial query, referencing a new road project from Liverpool port through Rimrose valley into Sefton Central that contradicts carbon emission reduction goals. It questions the government's commitment to decarbonisation.

Question

Moving freight off roads and onto rail is crucial for cutting carbon emissions. However, the Government plans a new road through Rimrose valley which will increase emissions. Do Ministers want to play their part in meeting Government targets? Will they reconsider Arup's report on alternatives to road from Liverpool port and invest properly in rail freight?

Answer from Andrew Stephenson

Doubling capacity on the Bootle branch line is expected to meet forecast demand for the foreseeable future. Recent forecasts, unconstrained by limits on infrastructure capacity, indicate demand for 40 trains per day in each direction by 2043. Two paths per hour in each direction of course provides capacity for 48 freight trains per day. However, road transport can sometimes be more economically efficient.

Partly answered

Not addressed: reconsideration of the new road project and investment in rail based on Arup's report

How: Nature Of Some Freight Requirements Means That Road Transport Can Sometimes Be More Economically Efficient

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