RAILFREIGHT boss Graham Smith is mounting a sustained assault on the arguments used against the railfreight project.

He said: “It will be practical, effective and efficient.

“I am absolutely confident.

“The gauge enhancements will enable us to operate as the terminal develops.”

He said the council's proposed alternative of Colnebrook would not be electrified until 2016, while the rail line past the Park Street site already had overhead power, and the Secretary of State for transport Andrew Adonis had pledged to convert the whole Midland Main Line.

He said: “The only reason the Great Western Line is being electrified first is that the passenger rolling stock is life expired.

“It was introduced in the mid–Seventies and it must be replaced very soon.”

He added that the rail line past Colnebrook was badly overcrowded and it would be difficult to add more freight trains.