Urgent need for new Government to commit to Ely and Haughley Junction Improvements

21 September 2024

Twenty five Parliamentarians and partners of the new East of England APPG sent a letter on the 19th September to the Transport Secretary and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury  making the case that improvements to Ely and Haughley rail junctions will be pivotal to Great British Railways meeting its ambitious targets for national rail freight growth. They will also have transformational benefits for passengers. Both outcomes support sustainable economic growth which is the primary mission of the new Government.

It went on to point out that committing to these schemes would deliver a triple win for the Department for Transport  as they meet DfT strategic priorities:

• Improving the performance on the railways: By increasing capacity and reducing bottlenecks, and stimulating 277,000 extra rail passenger journeys per year. The scheme has a remarkably high benefit-cost ratio, returning £4.89 of benefits for every £1 invested. 
• Transforming infrastructure to work for the whole country: The new freight services will primarily serve freight terminals in the Midlands, North and Scotland, and reduce congestion by 5.6 million hours per year (Ely is referenced in the strategies of both Transport for the North and Midlands Connect) 
• Delivering greener transport: By supporting modal shift to rail, Ely will remove the need for 98,000 HGV journeys every year, reducing carbon emissions by 1.7m tonnes of CO2 over 60 years. 

The letter states that “in October 2023, the previous government confirmed funding would be made available to deliver the Ely and Haughley junction improvements. As you can see regional MPs, Peers, sub-national transport bodies, and other public and private sector stakeholders, remain steadfast in recognising the importance of these schemes.”

The letter therefore asks that when the Department reviews previously committed infrastructure schemes, the new government prioritises investment in Ely and Haughley junction improvements. This includes the early release of required funding to Network Rail/ Great British Railways, so that detailed planning for their delivery can commence. 

The letter was reported by BBC East, the East Anglia Daily Times and the Eastern Daily Press

MPS demand action over Ely and Haughley junction revamps | Eastern Daily Press (edp24.co.uk)

MPs want Haughley junction improvements to be prioritised | East Anglian Daily Times (eadt.co.uk)