Rail freight’s role in alleviating Britain’s transport problems under-valued by policy makers

9th May 2003

The potential for rail freight to solve Britain’s transport problems is significantly under-estimated by policy makers, according to a new briefing issued today by the pressure group, Freight on Rail.

Freight on Rail, a partnership of the rail freight industry, transport trade unions and Transport 2000, singles out the recent RAC Foundation report ‘Motoring towards 2050’, for rehashing rail freight myths. The group found the rail freight element of the report to be factually inaccurate, sometimes contradictory and based on outdated prejudices rather than a proper analysis of the relevant statistics. Freight on Rail is concerned that these prejudices are commonly held by other policy makers.

Campaign co-ordinator, Philippa Edmunds said, "Rail freight has been one of the transport sector's success stories of recent years, having grown by 50 per cent since 1994. We are disappointed that the RAC Foundation, which has a good reputation, published a report which spreads incorrect information about the important and positive role that rail already performs in reducing road congestion, road accidents and environmental pollution."

She added: "The report’s foreword, written by the Prime Minster, states that it is an interesting contribution to the debate from an independent inquiry by a respected motoring organisation. Our research has, in fact, shown that the report demonstrates a poor knowledge of today’s rail freight industry, which leads to a series of conclusions which are mostly unjustified and sometimes inconsistent. The RAC Foundation makes assumptions which conflict with Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) and Office of Rail Regulator (ORR) policies."

Here are two examples of the myths and contradictions, see attached report with executive summary for full details of the extent of the misrepresentations.

(RAC statements in italics)

RAC claim that rail freight is only viable for long journeys (see P6,Sec3)*, which is wrong; yet shortly before, it claims that much bulk traffic travels only short distances. The argument that rail is only competitive over long distances is one of the most commonly propagated myths about rail freight. The reality is that break-even distances are market specific. Traffic such as aggregates and waste can be profitable over short distances, as shown by the 19-mile aggregates flow from Greenwich to Kings Cross and the 27-mile municipal waste removal from Edinburgh to Dunbar.

Increases in freight traffic disproportionately reduce the capacity for carrying passengers.
This is incorrect and it is also untrue that freight trains are usually slower than passenger trains. (P9,Sec 5)* The reality is that many mail trains travel at 110mph, intermodal trains can now run at 90mph, whilst new coal wagons are designed for operation at 75mph and plans are in-hand for express parcels trains to run at 125mph. In terms of capacity-use, the typical freight train is now equivalent to a semi-fast passenger train, and certainly uses up less capacity than either the typical stopping passenger train or high speed passenger train. Again the report contradicts itself on this point by stating that freight trains often do not share track with passenger trains and are not up against capacity constraints. (see P5,sec2)*
 

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

Click here for an executive summary of our response and a detailed analysis of the rail freight section of the report ‘Motoring towards 2050’.