Shailesh Vara MP today accompanied Chris Heaton-Harris MP, the Minister for Rail at the Department for Transport and Sir Peter Hendy, Chairman of Network Rail on a visit to the newly built Werrington Rail Tunnel in Mr Vara’s constituency of North West Cambridgeshire. Neighbouring MP Paul Bristow also joined the group.

Mr Heaton-Harris officially opened the freight train tunnel, which has been constructed by the East Coast Main Line Enhancements Programme, as it moves into service. The tunnel will provide routes for freight trains to divert under the East Coast Main Line, freeing up capacity on the rail network and cutting congestion for passenger services on the main line through a separation of freight traffic from any high-speed passenger traffic. The tunnel will remove constraints on the timetable by supporting the introduction of two additional long distance high speed services per hour.

Following the visit Mr Vara said:

“I was very pleased to welcome Chris Heaton-Harris to my constituency to view the new two-track railway which will ease congestion for passenger trains and enable the slower freight trains to travel under the East Coast Main Line. The tunnel is an impressive feat of engineering and as it enters into service, it will make a significant difference to ensuring that there is more capacity for passengers on the network. This vital work is a welcome asset to our local railway network.”

Photo: Paul Bristow MP, Sir Peter Hendy, Chris Heaton-Harris MP, Shailesh Vara MP and John Smith