The Parkside 2010 Alliance has been set up to demonstrate support for the proposals for the Parkside strategic rail freight interchange. It brings together individuals and organisations from the local community and wider area, as well as regional and national organisations.
Those in opposition to the Parkside proposals have made themselves well known locally, but the voices of those in support has been much less well heard. There is a great deal of support both locally and nationally, and Parkside 2010 is crucial in giving these supporters a voice.
Parkside 2010 is supported by organisations which represent the local community and businesses, environmental campaigners and charities, the regional branches of many major trade unions, the rail freight industry, training and skills providers, as well as local Members of Parliament and local residents.
The following provides an overview of just some of the organisations and individuals that have joined Parkside 2010 in the last few months and what these groups are saying about the proposals.
The Rail Freight Group
“The RFG firmly believes that the development of the Parkside SRFI will make a significant contribution to the transfer of freight from road to rail, an objective that is shared by the Government and all major opposition parties.”
(Lord Berkeley, Chair of Rail Freight Group)
Warrington Chamber of Commerce
“This proposal offers a unique opportunity to both for the local area and region. There is a real need to move freight from roads to rail and rail terminals are an essential part of this process, which will help to reduce traffic movements and congestion on motorways and significantly reduce carbon emissions”
(Colin Daniels, Chief Executive, Warrington Chamber of Commerce)
Numerous local residents
“Don't be taken in by the opposition - this area desperately needs jobs. Not just now, but for when our children grow up."
(Alex Whamond, Local Resident)
Newton le Willows Anglers Association
"Job numbers of this quantity and quality are not found these days so on the strength of this alone the project is of real benefit to the town. But there will also be a new country park, and with this a biodiversity action plan to create new natural habitats, with water courses and features. I have children and grandchildren who would take great benefits from this part of the development, this would eventually become heritage for the people of Newton-le-Willows."
(Edward Marcroft, Newton-le-Willows Angers Association)
CBI North West
“The creation of an estimated 10,000 new jobs for the region, the removal of 100,000,000 HGV miles from the UK's roads and the creation of over 90 hectares of land dedicated to landscape, amenity and biodiversity hits so many of the criteria for building a sustainable economy in the region that it is essential that the proposal is supported and is successful. The vision for Parkside 2010 is one that brings much need prosperity not only to the immediate area, but to the region as a whole.”
(Damian Waters Regional Director CBI North West)
Freightliner Ltd
“Freightliner Limited is the major rail carrier of deepsea containers within the UK. It currently handles in excess of 660,000 container moves a year, of which in excess of 250,000 move through sites in the North-West region.
UK deepsea container growth is expected to grow by 6% a year and gauge enhancement schemes will see a larger percentage of the market move by rail. Whilst existing sites have some room for growth they will be unable to meet the entire demand and therefore new sites will be required.
The Parkside development meets all the criteria required by Freightliner Ltd to handle business growth. It has direct access from the main-line for both diesel and electric hauled locomotives, is adjacent to the West Coast Main Line and is cleared to W10 gauge (which allows carriage of 9’6’’ high containers). It is also well placed for road access to the motorway system, to enable swift delivery to the end-user.
Parkside is a first-class development of which Freightliner will be proud to include within its UK terminal offering.”
(Keith Gray, Business Planning Director, Freightliner Ltd)
UNITE
“The case for Parkside SRFI is made each day on our evermore congested roads, the transfer of freight from road to rail and the creation of much needed jobs in an area where employment opportunities in traditional industries have dramatically reduced must be supported.”
(Bob Rixham, UNITE Amicus section, Lead Industrial Officer - Railways, Buses & Ferries)
Railfuture North West
“Railfuture North West supports the Parkside 2010 proposals because we support the transfer of freight from road to rail to improve the environment, to increase the use of the rail network and to reduce the number of casualties on the roads. Many people are intimidated by heavy lorries and the less of them that we have the better.”
(Andrew Macfarlane, Railfuture North West)
English, Welsh and Scottish Railway Ltd
“The Eddington and Stern reports, published towards the end of 2006, reinforced the importance of rail freight. Eddington identified the importance of transport infrastructure to the UK economy, while the Stern report focused on reducing the carbon footprint of the UK. The emissions and carbon dioxide produced by rail freight is ten times lower than produced by road and at a time of considerable concern about climate change, rail freight is the transport mode of the future. That is why Parkside is crucial. It allows more freight to be moved from road to rail, reducing the size of transport’s carbon footprint, and also has the added benefit of bringing jobs and investment to the local area.”
(Tim Robinson, General Manager Market Development, EWS)
English, Welsh and Scottish Railway Ltd
The plans for Parkside have the potential to provide an additional boost for the local economy through the demand for skilled and unskilled employees that it will create. Logistics College North West can support local people to fill these roles through its various training programmes. The interchange will also play a vital role in removing significant amounts of freight from our roads. This has tremendous environmental as well as economic benefits.”
Steve Kelsey, representing Logistics College North West (LCNW)
Local residents
“I support the plan for the rail freight terminal. This is a great opportunity to bring extra jobs to this area of the North West and also assist in moving more freight by rail instead of road.”
Brian Litherland (local resident)
“I would like to add my full support to the development of the old Parkside site into a rail freight terminal. I would like to see more industry brought back to the area of Newton-le-Willows, which after all, was right at the centre of the industrial revolution. I have 4 children who will all ultimately benefit from more jobs in this great area of ours.”
Tom Holding (local resident)
“This project is just what Newton needs. Most of the local industry has closed down and this will give a boost to the area and those seeking employment as well as providing parkland in place of a derelict eyesore.”
Graham Barton (local resident)“
Cheshire Transport 2000
Direct Rail Services Ltd
ASLEF
RMT North West
Freight on Rail
Den Dover MEP
Dave Watts MP
Lord Evans of Parkside
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