Central Railway (UK)

Central Railway (UK) was a proposed British company seeking to construct a high-speed rail line dedicated to freight transport, connecting the Channel Tunnel to locations in the Midlands and Northern England. The project, initially conceived in the 1990s, aimed to alleviate congestion on existing rail lines and roads by providing a dedicated route for freight, thereby improving efficiency and reducing environmental impact.

The core proposal involved a new, privately funded rail line built to continental European loading gauge standards, allowing for the transport of larger containers and heavier loads than typically accommodated on the British rail network. The route envisioned varied over the years of planning and proposal stages, but generally considered a north-south alignment from the Channel Tunnel, bypassing London.

Central Railway faced significant challenges in securing funding, obtaining necessary planning permissions, and overcoming opposition from landowners and environmental groups. Despite repeated efforts to refine the project and address concerns, the company ultimately failed to secure the necessary approvals and financial backing to proceed with construction. The proposals were eventually abandoned. The company's assets were eventually acquired.