THE container shipping slowdown has hit services at a newly-opened fast-track rail link to the Port of Liverpool.
Rail cargo firm Freightliner has axed its Seaforth to Scotland service at a time when it was hoped the new connection to the West Coast Main Line would generate more trade.
The £7.6m link, known as the Olive Mount Chord, was only opened in December after years of campaigning and fundraising involving the port, Merseytravel and local authorities.
Freightliner says it remains supportive of the new facility for container traffic but that the current downturn means the company can no longer justify running services to and from Seaforth.
Track access manager Andy Wijeyewardena said: “It’s unfortunate that the downturn has had an effect now as the opening of the link is a positive move. Hopefully we will be able to take advantage when things pick up.”
Another 14 trains a day are still being run by DB Schenker – formerly known as EWS.
But the idea was that the fast-track would generate more business and take thousands of extra lorry movements off the roads.
Before the Olive Mount Chord to Bootle was reopened after 20 years, freight trains needed to switch the engine at Edge Hill on the way to and from the main line.
A Network Rail spokeman said: “There are now enough slots for 21 trains a day through the route although I don’t know how many are actually being used. What I would say is that this work has had benefits for passenger services too.
“Previously freight carriers heading for the docks would stop at Edge Hill to enable the engine to be switched from he front to the back. If there were any problems it held up passenger traffic coming out of Lime Street.”
Peel Ports has a strategy to encourage rail transport for cargoes such as coal, steel and scrap metal.
A Peel Ports spokesman declined to comment on fears that its docks trade was down between 8-12% but said: “No sector is immune to the global downturn in trade, and ports throughout the UK and worldwide are no exceptions. However, the diversity of cargoes handled at Mersey Docks and the Manchester Ship Canal is a very strong asset for the company.”
barry.turnbull
