HELIOSLOUGH is ignoring the low unemployment rate in St Albans, which will ensure most railfreight workers come from outside the area, Strife has argued.

The campaign group's barrister Paul Stinchcombe told Mr Tilley that Colnebrook near Slough would have a more readily available workforce as it had higher local unemployment .

Mr Tilley replied: “Slough district itself has lower unemployment than St Albans, but neighbouring districts like Hillingdon and South Bucks have higher unemployment.

“On average unemployment is comparable.

“In either case most of the workforce would come from outside the area.”

Mr Tilley admitted that other advantages of Colnebrook included close access to the Great Western Main Line with superior W8 loading gauge, and a location close to the M4/M25 junction.

Mr Stinchcombe challenged: “It is an obvious contender, isn't it.”

He also challenged Mr Tilley on a potential railfreight site near Barking in Essex , arguing that as it was surrounded by industrial development it was a clearly superior location to Park Street.

Mr Tilley replied: “Barking is not in the north-west sector, so we did not give it consideration.”

Mr Stinchcombe countered: “But if you are wrong about the north-west sector it falls to be considered.”