Rail freight

01.05.07

Action called for to provide capacity for rail freight growth

Rail Freight Group has urged the Government to confirm the funding for rail freight schemes as a matter of urgency.

The four elements are:

• Including key rail freight schemes along with general capacity enhancements which would provide for both passenger and freight growth in the High Level Output Statement (HLOS), due to be published in July,
• Confirmation of TIF funding for the six rail freight schemes shortlisted nearly a year ago (30 June 2006).
• Confirmation of the ongoing budget for Network Rail’s Discretionary Fund, used for funding smaller schemes,
• Clarification of the future of TIF funding for rail freight.

The Network Rail Route Utilisation Studies (RUSs) set out a number of essential schemes for freight, and the Rail Freight Operators Association have recently listed their ‘Super 16’ schemes. Together, these give a clear indication of the work necessary for rail freight to achieve its full potential.
The HLOS is expected to focus on the needs of the passenger railway, but, if it is to align with the recommendations of Eddington, key freight schemes, particularly on links to international gateways and between centres of population and distribution, must be included.

RFG chairman Tony Berkeley said: ‘Rail freight offers significant carbon savings compared to road transport. Enabling growth in rail freight is therefore key in reducing transport related emissions. To encourage companies to move to rail, the industry needs certainty that Government will be investing main the rail network for freight so that private sector investors can have the long term confidence that they will be able to operate to fulfil customer expectations.’

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