A Government minister met port chiefs for talks about future plans to send more cargo by rail – and departed on a freight train.

Transport minister Baroness Kramer visited the Port of Felixstowe, the UK’s largest container terminal, for discussions on future rail strategies with port management.

Those she met included John Smith, managing director of GB Railfreight, and Clemence Cheng, chief executive officer of Hutchison Ports (UK) Ltd, owners of the port.

She was also shown the latest developments at the terminal – branded as Port of Britain – including the new Berths 8&9, which are due to be expanded with the addition of a finger quay to enable two of the world’s largest vessels to berth at the same time.

Before departing on a freight train for London, she also visited the new North Rail Terminal, which has doubled the port’s rail cargo capacity.