RAIL FREIGHT AND YOUR BUSINESS 

"The move from road to rail means greater speed and flexibility for our customers."

Dave Ansell, DHL

 
Britain's roads are increasingly congested, resulting in longer journey times and more unreliability. Government forecasts predict that this situation will get worse.

Firms are also faced with the restriction in lorry drivers' hours caused by the adoption of the European Working Time Directive and an acute shortage of HGV drivers. The Future of Transport White Paper published in July 2004 also promises the introduction of lorry road user charging above and beyond the regional measures imposed within London in the form of the congestion charge and low emissions zone.

Rail freight can help provide a solution - helping businesses keep costs down and stay competitive.

That's why customer demand for rail freight is increasing. High Street names including Argos, ASDA, Marks & Spencer, Tesco and Superdrug are on the growing list of rail freight users.

"More and more UK retailers are looking to rail freight to meet the supply chain demands of their businesses."

British Retail Consortium

If your business is interested in using rail freight or you would like to find out more about the industry, RFG can help. For independent advice contact Neil Stevens,Development & Communications Manager on 020 7233 3177 or email neil@rfg.org.uk.

Information on Government grants to encourage businesses to transfer to rail freight can be found at :

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/freight/railfreight/rfg/?version=1