The top priorities for a Strategic Rail Freight Network are easy to identify: the key Anglo-Scottish West Coast Main Line (in particular) and East Coast Main Line need the full capability and capacity to accommodate 775m-long intermodal trains carrying industry-standard 9’6” high freight containers.
Infrastructure works would be required to ensure that complete diversionary capability is available at times of disruption, such as the recent Lamington bridge closure on the West Coast Main Line, caused by extreme weather.