Bosses at Europe's largest container port said the port transported 32,386 containers last month by rail, beating all previous records.

The announcement comes after the opening of a new rail link between the coastal town and Daventry in the Midlands.

Richard Pearson, managing director of Hutchison Ports (UK) Limited, said: "We thoroughly welcome this new rail service through the Port of Felixstowe, and are keen to encourage initiatives that will help to reduce further the number of lorries on the UK's busy road network.

"As can be seen by the record-breaking volumes at the Port of Felixstowe in recent months, rail is becoming increasingly attractive to customers, as it is able to offer a reliable and cost effective means of transportation for freight to the important markets of the UK."

The new route is currently served by a 20-wagon train with a capacity of 60 standard sized containers, but this is expected to increase in the near future to a 22-wagon train with a capacity of 66 standard sized containers, operating on a six-day schedule, port bosses announced.

A boost for The Evening Star's Danger on the A14 campaign, which has highlighted the dangers of increasing freight transport, the news has delighted campaigners keen to see freight taken off the roads.

Peter Lawrence, president of national independent campaigning organization Railfuture , said: "The more freight we can get off the roads and onto railways the better. This will ease pressure on the A14 and the railway is a much safer way to transport freight."

Railfuture has been campaigning to increase rail infrastructure and increased rail use since the 1950s.
Mr Lawrence said: "We welcome this announcement. It is better for the profits of the railways and better for the environment."

There are 24 inbound and 23 outbound trains per day from the Port of Felixstowe's North and South Rail terminals.