Freeport East has published a new Transport Masterplan that sets out a far‑reaching programme of rail investment designed to unlock the full economic potential of one of the UK’s most strategically important freight corridors.
Covering the Port of Felixstowe, Harwich International Port and the Gateway 14 inland logistics hub at Stowmarket, Freeport East sits at the heart of Britain’s containerised trade. Developed in partnership with sub‑national transport body Transport East, the 2026 masterplan spans road, local transport, active travel and digital connectivity — but it is the rail proposals that carry the greatest national significance...
Tackling the Ely and Haughley Rail Bottleneck
The most critical rail intervention identified in the masterplan is the long‑planned Ely and Haughley Rail Improvement Package — a scheme widely regarded as one of the most pressing freight capacity constraints on the UK rail network.
The document describes the corridor as “a major congestion issue on the most intensively used and nationally important rail freight corridor in the UK.” Proposed works include a new double‑track junction at Haughley, north‑west of Stowmarket, alongside wider capacity enhancements through Soham and Ely.
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Author: Rail Technology Magazine Published: April 23rd 2026
