BRAMLEY is one of the three locations outside of London crucial to unlocking billions of pounds for the UK economy.

That is the view of the influential UK Major Ports Group (UKMPG) which has compiled a list of the cost of bottlenecks in the UK's freight road and rail network.

The group found that investment in just seven locations along with targeted investment in road freight would unlock billions of pounds for the UK economy with the rail network at Bramley identified as one of the seven and one of only three located outside of London.

Bramley was identified as a bottleneck in the report.

The report found congestion on key routes and locations in the country obstructs the UK economy, amounting to 50,000 HGV hours wasted every day and three million tonnes of rail freight restricted annually, costing an estimated £539 million every year.

Tim Morris, of the UKMPG, said: “We have long suspected the significant impact that congestion in our freight network has on UK productivity, but this report exposes the major extent of this.

"And the potential identified is just in terms of freight industry value – the value to manufacturers, retailers and other industries for their own businesses will add substantial to this benefit. We need a new ‘freight first’ approach to ensure that Britain can live up to its true potential.

“Leaking money because of avoidable congestion is an own goal. As this report shows, some smart, targeted prioritisation can exponentially improve our freight network as this crucial moment for our country."

The report was developed by specialist research company MDS Transmodal and the UKMPG said it identifies for the the strategic freight network responsible for keeping the UK’s goods moving and the value from making improvements to this network.

The UKMPG is the trade association representing most of the larger commercial ports in the United Kingdom. It has nine members, who own and operate over 40 ports, accounting for 75 per cent of the total tonnage handled in UK ports.