London rail freight study paves the way for removing freight from capital’s congested roads

8th July 2003

Freight on Rail, a partnership of the rail freight industry, the transport trade unions, and Transport 2000, welcomes the London Rail Freight study, commissioned by the GLA and TfL, through the Mayor’s London Sustainable Distribution Partnership (LSDP). It is an important step towards transferring goods from road to rail in the capital, wanted by the vast majority of Londoners.

Campaign co-ordinator, Philippa Edmunds said, "Freight on Rail, as an LSDP member, will work hard to ensure that London’s Spatial Development Strategy acts on these recommendations. Our priorities are upgrading of routes such as the North London Line, protection of freight paths on this line and the West London line and the safeguarding of strategic sites for rail/road interchanges. The report mentions that there is an urgent need for more rail freight terminals and transhipment points with one needed as soon as possible. We believe, as identified in the ‘SRA Strategic Plan’, that three to four interchanges to handle a variety of commodities are needed in London and the South East. "

She added that " It would be almost impossible to find another viable alternative to the rail connected site at Cricklewood in North London, so this is the first interchange issue to resolve."

The report, by Ove Arup & Partners, explicitly highlights these key points in its recommended strategy and action plan, which we will be campaigning for:-

safeguard capacity on West London line for freight subject to diversion of some trains via Kew Bridge if that route is upgraded/electrified;
upgrade key parts of the London rail network (the Tottenham-Hampstead line and the Clapham Junction – Kew Bridge – Wembley route) to take more freight, particularly intermodal;
Urgently promote at least one major rail intermodal terminal and safeguard sites for others; Freight on Rail believes that 3-4 terminals are needed in the London area ranging from intermodal, bulk and emerging markets interchanges.
Promote waste strategies using rail to landfill or incinerator, particularly in South London;
Planning policy should encourage rail connected sites for distribution and industrial development;
Work with Freight operators, SRA and hauliers to identify an FMCG rail demonstration scheme
Promote more rail connections to Port of London Authority terminals, particularly in the Thurrock area and long the north bank of the Thames between Barking and Tilbury
To set up a decent system for collecting and monitoring freight flows in London, which does not exist at the moment

Notes to editors:

Freight on Rail is a partnership between transport trades unions, ASLEF, RMT and TSSA, the rail freight operators EWS, Freightliner and GB Railfreight, the Rail Freight Group, and Transport 2000. It works to promote the economic, social and environmental benefits of rail freight both nationally and locally. It advocates policy changes that support the shift to rail and provides information and help on freight related issues. In particular, it aims to help local authorities through all stages of the process such as planning a rail-freight strategy, accessing grants and dealing with technical matters.

For further information contact:- Philippa Edmunds, Freight on Rail campaigner

Tel: 0208 241 9982: email philippa@freightonrail.org.uk