It would also provide a new area for freight trains at Stafford and, subject to the outcome of a public inquiry, a new flyover at Norton Bridge, it said.

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Yarn Neat, 31, an assistant stock manager, said she had helped load the materials into the area using a freight elevator a week ago.

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Mineta cited the freight rail system as one area of concern.

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Solid freight is carried on a deck that has an area of 1, 020 square metres.

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Local rail freight service was also being closed to help secure the area, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said.

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Distrust of the GDP numbers has prompted Capital Economics, a research firm based in London, to create its own proxy of economic activity, which includes electricity output, domestic freight volumes, cargo traffic at ports, passenger transport and floor area under construction.

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The growth of road freight and the more widespread use of private vehicles have made transportation the second area of priority for Beijing's energy conservationists.

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