Hundreds of railway carriages stockpiled at Shoebury's Ministry of Defence site could be used for mass evacuation in the event of a terrorist attack.
The new Civil Contingencies Bill gave ministers sweeping powers in the event of a national emergency, including using railway operators to evacuate people in disaster areas.
Leasing firms such as Porterbrook and HSBC which own defunct rolling stock are stockpiling up to 400 serviceable, but unmarketable, trains which could be used to ferry thousands to safety.
Sources close to Porterbrook have revealed there are plans to use the trains in this way, but could not provide detail.
Published Wednesday January 14, 2004
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