Government rail freight grants are the fast route to reducing transport’s carbon footprint and reducing road congestion.16th September 2008 Freight on Rail welcomes the Government’s increased rail freight grants designed to remove freight from our roads. Newly announced Freight Facilities Grants funding with a total budget of £61m for the three years from 2011-2014 demonstrate the Government’s long-term commitment to both reducing road congestion and carbon dioxide emissions. Philippa Edmunds, Freight on Rail campaigner said,” These grants are recognition of the role rail freight has to play in reducing transport’s carbon footprint and helping to alleviate road congestion. Tonne for tonne moved, rail produces between three to five times less carbon dioxide (depending on cargo)1 than road freight. HGVs alone, which account for around 6% of road traffic miles, are responsible for 20% of carbon dioxide emissions from all domestic transport2 Rail freight can offer a real solution to the carbon emissions problem faced by the Government.”
For further information contact please contact Philippa Edmunds at Freight on Rail on 020 8241 9982 mobile 07981 881410 Members are Direct Rail Services, EWS, Freightliner, ASLEF, RMT, TSSA, UNITE, Rail Freight Group and Campaign for Better Transport Transport is responsible for 28% of carbon dioxide emissions in UK4 1. EWS 2007 2. Para 2.2 of the Carbon Pathways document DfT 2008. 3. Network Rail 2008. 4. When the emissions from refining petrol included. 5. Carbon Pathways DfT 2008. 6. Network Rail 2008.
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