30.03.20
370,000 tonnes of vital supplies moved across the railway last week
Last week alone key workers from Network Rail helped more than 370,000 tonnes of freight to be moved between west London and Cornwall and into and across Wales to support the economy, the NHS, petrol at the pumps and food in shops.
The demand has been met thanks to dedication of Network Rail teams who have persisted to work as they are classed as key workers by the Government and the help of passengers who have taken advice of only to travel when absolutely essential.
A reduced passenger timetable was announced on Monday (March 23rd) so a dependable service would be in operation to get key workers, such as NHS staff, to work while allowing more freight trains to run to meet demand.
Out of the 370,000 freight tonnes that were transported last week, it contained 1,200 tonnes every day of food and medicine for shops, 2,000 tones every day of tinplate from Llanelli to create food cans and petroleum products from south Wales to keep the railway’s vital supply chain moving.
Another indispensable service that has been maintained is the removal of household waste from major cities including London.
Last week there was a 20% increase in the amount of food being moved on the railway by freight across Wales and between west London and Cornwall.
Managing Director for Network Rail’s Wales and Western region, Mark Langman, said: “I am incredibly proud of the role Network Rail teams have played in keeping our railway open for key workers and critical freight supplies.
“Without them we wouldn’t have been able to help the NHS or other emergency staff get to their places of work and we wouldn’t have been able to help keep power stations going, petrol at the pumps, medicines available and vital supplies in our shops.
“It has been a challenge particularly operating and maintaining the railway where colleagues are required in the work place. We have had to reduce some of our work to prioritise vital supplies and key workers. We are working closely with government and transport partners and will continue to do so.”
Image: Network Rail