London Plan needs clarification to make positive move towards better rail freight provision

22nd July 2011

The London Plan, published today (22 July), sets out overarching principles which recognise the need to promote rail freight 1, the need for more terminals 2 to service this traffic and directs the boroughs to safeguard 3 key sites for the transfer to rail. However, Freight on Rail feels the planning case could have been enhanced by quantifying the number of Strategic Rail Freight Interchanges needed in the Greater London area. This figure was included in the last plan.

Philippa Edmunds, Freight on Rail Manager said: “We are pleased that the Mayor has recognised the need to promote rail freight in order to reduce the UK’s carbon footprint, rising pollution and road congestion, and the need to safeguard terminals to transfer long-distance national and international 3 freight from road to rail. For example, a terminal in the Barking area would allow large quantities of freight to be transported by high-speed rail between London and the continent via the Channel Tunnel.”

She added, “However, omission from the Plan of the number of interchanges 4 needed in the Greater London area, which are key employment generators, will make getting the necessary planning permission more problematic.”

 

Notes to Editors

1. Policy 6.1Strategic-g approach supporting measures that encourage shifts to more sustainable modes and appropriate demand management.
Policy 6.14 Freight promote movement of freight by rail and waterways
Policy 6.4 Enhancing London’s transport connectivity g improving and expanding London’s international and national transport links for passengers and freight (for example High Speed 2)

2. Table 6.1 Improved rail freight terminals to serve London and improved rail freight routes

3. Policy 6.15 Strategic Rail Freight Interchanges
A The provision of strategic rail freight interchanges should be supported including enabling the potential of the Channel Tunnel rail link to be exploited.

4. LDF preparation a safeguarding existing sites and identifying new sites for the transfer to rail
The existing SRFI at Daventy generates over 4000 jobs, as part of the sustainable economy.