Latest news with #railconnectivity
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Melaka inland port to boost rail logistics, support regional investment
MELAKA, July 21 — The Melaka Inland Port development in Taboh Naning, Alor Gajah, will provide investors streamlined facilities for the movement of goods via rail, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh. He said the 52.89-hectare logistics-focused development is intended to support investors in Melaka and the neighbouring states of Johor and Negeri Sembilan. 'MCORP signed an agreement with DS Rail Mobility Sdn Bhd on June 13, 2025, to develop the project, with a gross development cost of RM230.8 million for Phase 1. This forms part of the larger MCORP Hi-Tech Park development, which covers 2,023 hectares. 'The project planning began in November 2024, and the company is currently preparing the necessary documents for approvals, including planning permission from local authorities and impact assessment studies,' he said at the Melaka legislative assembly sitting in Seri Negeri today. He was responding to a question from Datuk Zulkiflee Mohd Zin (BN-Taboh Naning), who had asked for updates on the inland port project. Expanding on the matter, Ab Rauf said the project is being developed with a comprehensive environmental, social, and governance approach, encompassing green technology, low-carbon rail connectivity, community empowerment, and transparent governance, aligned with Melaka's sustainable development agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. He said this reflects a commitment to responsible development that prioritises local community wellbeing and environmental protection. Ab Rauf also noted that the Works Ministry has approved a RM30 million road upgrade project from the Simpang Ampat toll roundabout to the Alor Gajah-Melaka Tengah-Jasin (AMJ) highway under Rolling Plan 3 of the 12th Malaysia Plan to support the inland port development. The upgrade involves widening the road from a single to a dual carriageway, reinforcing slopes, constructing drainage systems, acquiring land, relocating utilities, and carrying out other related works. 'The project is in the final stages of detailed design, with land acquisition processes under Sections 4 and 8 expected to be submitted to the Melaka Department of the Director General of Lands and Mines in early August 2025. 'The tender advertisement is expected in mid-August 2025, with contractor appointment anticipated by December 2025,' he concluded. — Bernama
BBC News
3 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Crewe and Nantwich MP calls for West Coast Main Line improvements
An MP has called on the government to make improvements to the West Coast Main Line to "show people across the North West that this government care about their future".Connor Naismith, the Labour MP for Crewe and Nantwich, spoke about issues on the line during a Westminster Hall debate and called for remodelling of Crewe also called for the government to "look carefully" at alternative proposals to HS2 put forward by the mayors of Greater Manchester and the West minister Lillian Greenwood said the government was "continuing to review options for enhancing rail connectivity in the Midlands and North". She added that more detail would be provided in the coming months. Naismith told a debate that the West Coast Main Line faced "critical problems" and said the issues were experienced by many attending the debate and their from across the political spectrum also spoke about issues they and their constituents had using the line including Labour's Jo Platt, Conservative Aphra Brandreth and Liberal Democrat Tim also spoke about capacity and said improvements would mean less congestion on the area's motorways."I again press the government to look carefully at the proposals developed by the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, the Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, and Arup and other stakeholders, namely the Midlands-North West rail link," he also called for upgrades to Crewe Station, saying it had seen "little investment since the 1980s"."Failure to do anything is simply not an option, so I politely ask the minister, what will the government do to flesh out the options that they are considering?" he said."Let us improve the main line, let us rebuild Crewe station, and let us show people across the North West that this government care about their future." In response, Greenwood said the government knew there were "real and very understandable concerns" about capacity between Manchester and Birmingham following the cancellation of phase two of HS2."I also understand the frustration - and, frankly, the anger - that this decision created for leaders and communities across the Midlands and the North," she said she set out to the House of Commons in January that the government would not reverse that cancellation."I also noted that we were, and are, continuing to review options for enhancing rail connectivity in the Midlands and the North. That work continues and is now supported by the clarity that the spending review has provided," she said she was unable to provide more detail at this stage but said the government "hope to say more in the coming months, including on the future of Northern Powerhouse Rail", which is a planned link between Manchester and Liverpool. Read more Cheshire stories from the BBC and follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
