Ellesmere Port railhead reopens

Peel Ports Mersey and Quality Freight Group have reopened the railhead at Ellesmere Port, 20 years after it closed.

The first train to use the new facility in south Wirral brought a cargo of sand from Sibelco of King's Lynn destined for Quinn Glass of Elton in Cheshire.

Ellesmere Port railheadThe joint venture said this will be a regular twice-weekly service, running every Wednesday and Friday.

The reopening is the result of an investment; worth between £50,000-£60,000, by the two companies in a receiving area and rail sidings and the investment has also created two new jobs at Quality Freight.

Dean Hammond, Manchester Ship Canal general manager, said: "The rail head creates a truly multi-modal facility at Ellesmere Port. Our strategy is to promote choice for our customers, and hence it is vital that the necessary infrastructure is available to effect modal shift where required.

"The Green agenda and increasing fuel costs have made rail attractive, removing congestion from the roads, with the Sibelco load now only having to travel the final five miles to its destination by road."

Sebastian Gardiner, managing director of Quality Freight Group, added: "This is a historic development for Ellesmere Port and one which we know from the trials we have conducted is going to benefit customers enormously over the coming months and years.

"It is also the latest development of our growing relationship with Peel Ports Mersey at Ellesmere Port, and we anticipate a significant increase in new rail volume during 2011 to further enhance the local rail freight network established by Peel to carry coal."

Gardiner said that talks were already underway with more potential users, with a car option being trialled.

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