TRANSPORT minister Wendy Morton has been shown how DP World's London Gateway port is keeping on track and has plans to increase the amount of traffic it shifts by rail.

The minister, who has particular responsibility for rail, visited the Thames port near Corringham at the invitation of East Thurrock MP Stephen Metcalfe who wanted her to see and hear first hand about the port's plans.

Mr Metcalfe said: "I want to thank the minister for her visit and the interest she took in the area. I welcome the desire to move more freight by rail, but that is not without its challenges on an already busy network. This is a vital piece of infrastructure, and the new Freeport will see an increase in international trading logistics which we must work to accommodate to avoid congestion on our roads.

"This will also help in our goal of meeting net zero by 2050. If London Gateway can move just 10 per cent more of their freight onto the railway and away from the roads it will off-set their own carbon footprint.

"It was a great opportunity to meet the staff here and learn about what aspirations London Gateway have and how they can best be facilitated to ensure they provide the best possible logistics support to the new Thames Freeport."