Freight being loaded on trains

Freight trains having positive input on UK's carbon production

A surplus of 8,000 tonnes of food, products and other essentials passes the England-Scotland border on freight trains every 24 hours.

Freight trains are considered the greenest way of transporting essential goods in bulk.

Scotland relies on the West Coast main line to keep goods moving into the country as it has a lack of deep-sea container ports.

After being unloaded from freight trains these goods are then found in high streets across Scotland.

More than 1 million tonnes of freight is carried on the West Coast main line every week.

Around 188,000 tonnes of essential supplies move between London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow every day.

Every freight train used takes up to 76 heavy goods vehicles off Britain’s roads.

The rail industry’s ‘We Mean Green’ campaign highlights how moving goods by train can help tackle climate change.

Tim Shoveller, Managing Director for North West and Central spoke on rail freight’s role in combating climate change.

Mr Shoveller said: “Ordinarily, rail freight goes largely unnoticed.

“Much of it travels by night, rolling in darkness to and from every part of the country to keep shops, pharmacies and hospital stocked.

“Now is the time for us all in the rail industry to promote its green credentials.

“Moving goods by rail is an easy clean and green solution.

“Taking polluting lorries off our congested roads to transport vital supplies around the country in a fast, reliable and environmentally friendly way.”

Freight companies are looking at ways to reconfigure trains to get more containers on them.

Maggie Simpson, Director General of Rail Freight Group said: “Rail freight is helping companies across the country go green.

“With each train producing 76% less carbon emissions than HGVs on average.

“Moving more by rail is good for the environment, good for road congestion and good for consumers.

“More and more companies are looking to use rail as part of their sustainability plans.

“The rail freight operators and Network Rail are working hard to meet this demand.”

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