Strategic Rail Freight Network sets framework for regional and local authorities

23rd September 2009

Freight on Rail welcomes the Government’s Strategic Rail Freight Network and says that local authorities and regional bodies now need to work with it to realise this low carbon vision.

The commissioning of Network Rail studies to identify Britain’s future preferred freight routes is part of the long term vision for rail freight, British Transport Infrastructure, Strategic Rail Freight Network - The Longer Term Vision, issued by the Department for Transport on 22nd September.

Philippa Edmunds, Freight on Rail Manager said, “The Strategic Rail Freight Network represents real commitment with real funding for rail freight. This means that the first part of the work is funded so we are pressing the Government to continue funding the network beyond 2014. It should be used by councils, Regional Development Agencies and others as a basis for planning future developments and freight terminals and for implementing policies to get long distance freight off the roads to help build the low carbon economy and create more green jobs.”

For further information contact please contact Philippa Edmunds at Freight on Rail on 020 8241 9982 mobile 07981 881410 email: philippa@freightonrail.org.uk

Members are Direct Rail Services, DB Schenker, Freightliner, ASLEF, RMT, TSSA, UNITE, Rail Freight Group and Campaign for Better Transport

Notes to editors

Government committed funding £200m for SRFN for period 2009-2014
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/strategyfinance/strategy/freightnetwork/strategicfreightnetwork.pdf

Rail freight reduces road congestion as an average container train can remove 50 long distance HGVs and rail freight’s heaviest bulk cargo trains are equal to 160 HGVs. Source Network Rail.

The Dft estimate that the cost of congestion is up to £1 per lorry miles on the most congested roads.

Safety

In most circumstances the transport of freight is safer by rail than by road, due to lack of proper enforcement of drivers’ hours, vehicle overloading and differing foreign operating standards.

Freight on Rail is campaigning for:-

1. A network for gauge cleared routes for higher containers for deep sea, refrigerated and container and European swap bodies to provide a reliable robust network with diversionary routes.
2. Longer and heavier freight trains allowing for 750m long trains to operate as standard on certain routes.
   
3. Electrification of freight routes
   
4. European Freight Link which builds on the use of High Speed 1 by mainland European high capacity wagons by enhancing the network to enable them to reach the Midlands potentially via the electrified Midland Main Line.
   
5. 24/7 railway
   
6. Land use planning policy needed at national, regional and local levels which allows new interchanges/terminals to be build, ranging from the large Strategic Rail Freight Interchanges (SRFIs) to medium and small terminals.
   
7. Stable track access charges which will enable freight operators and customers to plan longer term.
   
8. Retain the current Sustainable Distribution Fund revenue and capital grants to reduce harmful emissions, road congestion and road accidents
   
9. No to Mega trucks

Despite the fact that the UK Government rejected trials of mega trucks in June 2008, the European Commission continues to pursue proposals for possible cross border traffic.

We urge the UK Government to resist these attempts by Europe which would over time lead to mega trucks being introduced across member states by default.

Freight on Rail promotes the economic and environmental benefits of rail freight.