The French Government has stepped in to back a plan to built a freight rail link down the centre of England.

The private initiative to shift lorries onto a new route from the north-west of England to the Channel Tunnel is being considered by the UK Government.

It has the backing of businesses and local government particularly in the north of England and the French high-speed rail operators, SNCF.

Now the French Government, which is keen to develop a freight network across Europe, has written to transport minister John Spellar to add its support.

Taking lorries off the roads will have a huge environmental impact Central Railway plc

Central Railway plc, the company behind the scheme, says it will offer a fast and efficient way of moving freight through England to the Continent.

In the process, it argues, it will shift thousands of lorries off the UK's roads and give the north-west a commercial injection.

An extensive review of the plans was carried out by the Strategic Rail Authority at the end of last year and its findings are being considered by ministers.

But the SRA was critical, saying the building programme would disrupt existing passenger services.

Liverpool to Lille

Central Railway says it would be a price worth paying.

"It will mean a fast, efficient and cheaper service for freight operators, but there are benefits to everybody," said director of government affairs, Chris Savage.

"Taking lorries off the roads will have a huge environmental impact, there will be less congestion and economic development in the north-west.

"We see the French Government's support as very significant and it has come at a very important time."

He said SNCF had reviewed the plans and found them "technically sound".

Passenger trains

If ministers support the �9 billion plan in principle, the company will put forward a Bill to Parliament in November.

The link would run eventually from Liverpool to Lille in northern France.

In England, it would use abandoned routes or run alongside existing passenger tracks.

Although Central Railway will only run freight services, the company says there is scope for passenger trains to use the same tracks.

For example, its plans include reopening an old tunnel at Woodhead, which could reconnect Sheffield and Manchester to passenger travel.

The Department for Transport confirmed the Mr Spellar had received a letter from the French Government expressing support for the scheme and the plans were before ministers.