RIBBLE Valley MP Nigel Evans has hailed the role of freight trains in keeping the economy going during the conronavirus pandemic.

Network Rail bosses have highlighted of North-West goods routes in supplying supermarkets and firms which remain open including cement transported to Scotland from Clitheroe'.

The traffic from the Hanson Cement plant at Ribblesdale in one of several key products using the West Coast Main Line and other routes in the region.

Phil James, route managing director for the North West Route, has revealed that every 24 hours throughout the coronavirus crisis, 131,000 tonnes of critical supplies - including food, fuel and medicine - are being moved by rail between Cheshire, Derbyshire, the Liverpool City Region, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Cumbria and Scotland.

Mr Evans said: “Rail freight is a sector which has increasing importance both locally in the North West, and nationally, as the country moves to reduce carbon emissions and reduce the traffic on our roads.

"But it also performs a vital function now. The Covid-19 crisis has illuminated to everyone the importance of capacity and resilience in supply chains, and rail freight is an integral part of that.

“The people who work in the rail freight sector often go unnoticed, working during all hours of the day, and I am pleased that we can highlight their vital work at this challenging time for the country.”

Mr James said: “Rail freight has never mattered more than now for the people of Britain. Our job is to continue moving critical supplies where they’re needed."