New rail service cuts Trans Pennine road congestion by removing up to 40 HGVs per trip
A new rail service trial aims to alleviate congestion on the Trans Pennine road network by potentially removing up to 40 heavy vehicle movements per one-way journey. This initiative, a collaboration between Direct Rail Services (DRS) and PD Ports, seeks to assist customers in the North East and North West with reducing carbon emissions and delays. 
The service operates five days a week, linking Teesport with Manchester Trafford Park rail freight terminal. This marks the first time high cube containers are transported on this route, enhancing supply chain capacity and efficiency. Utilizing ultra-low IDA wagons, the service enables the movement of high cube containers, which are 9'6'' in height, across non-gauge enhanced and height-restricted routes over the Pennines.
Jo Edmenson, PD Ports' key account manager for rail freight services, noted the historical reliance on road freight due to rail network constraints, stating, "Trans Pennine connections for operators looking to move goods across the country have been confined to road freight for many years due to the constraints of the rail network." 
Gottfried Eymer, DRS's managing director for rail, emphasized the environmental benefits, stating, "Rail is much more environmentally friendly when compared to road, producing up to 76% fewer CO2 emissions, while each train can remove up to 40 HGVs from the roads, reducing congestion."
Teesport provides direct links to major European ports, with over 20 short sea vessel calls from regions like Iberia and Scandinavia.
The new service accommodates 45ft containers, enhancing the short sea shipping market via RoRo and LoLo services.