In January, the
Rail Freight Group (RFG) published its Top-Ten list of the best 2009 achievements
from across the rail freight sector, recognizing the hard work
of its members in what was a torrid year for many firms. Now, looking
toward the coming year, it has issued a challenge to the rail freight sector to meet the major issues of 2010.
The RFG challenges…
1. Freight Grants …the Department for
Transport (DfT) and Transport
Scotland to confirm funding for freight grants for the next five years. Securing ongoing
investment for rail freight development will be a tough challenge in the wake
of recession, but is more important now then ever. Freight grants are vital in
encouraging new volumes and particularly retail shippers with high volumes, who
perhaps have not used rail before. This will be key in developing the sector.
2. Strategic Freight Network …the incoming government
to publicly confirm ongoing support for the Strategic Freight Network. The
development of inland terminals and linking them into a single open access
network is vital to improving rail freight’s efficiency and reducing costs. Strong
political support for this must continue unabated, whatever shape or size of passenger
franchise is being considered.
3. Seven-day railway …Network Rail to
start offering a seven-day operation on key flows. Retailers
and shippers demand seven-day services if rail is to form a consistent part of
their supply chains. Network Rail is already working to ensure that more of the network
can be used at weekends and that diversionary routes are kept open, but it
needs to ensure a targeted initiative on key flows, which could see operators
and customers starting Sunday services.
4. Logistics Support
Services …the logistics
sector to launch and support new services. Retailers
have strong interest in using rail and indeed successful services are now
operating on some corridors. Further
successes are now needed to consolidate growth and prove to skeptics that this
sector can thrive on rail. Logistics
providers, working together with rail operators, could start demonstration
projects on new routes.
5. Infraction Proceedings …the
European Commission to conclude its infraction proceedings against non-compliant Member States. The sector has waited long enough for all EU countries
to comply with the First Railway Package both in letter and in spirit. Non-compliance is preventing many competitive rail freight services from operating
across Europe and into the UK. A recast of the First Railway Package is also essential now
and we urge those in power to see that it happens as soon as the new Transport
Commisisoner gets his feet under the table.
6. Infrastructure
Planning Commission …the
Infrastructure Planning Commission to grant planning permission for new rail
freight interchanges as a priority. From April, planning applications for major
rail freight terminals will pass to the IPC that
will operate under new procedures and guidance.
We are optimistic that this will ensure a faster process and enable
developers to start building terminals sooner to meet increasing demand.
7. Eurotunnel and
HS1 …both Eurotunnel
and HS1 to encourage new high gauge freight services in the UK. Freight
services on HS1 are due to start this year, once locomotive fitment is complete,
however this work must be completed as soon as possible to enable services to
the UK to benefit from the first high gauge route in the country.
8. Lord Adonis …rail
minister to prioritize
both passenger and rail freight highly in his plans for High Speed 2. Freight
services may not fit well with high speed passenger operations but there remain
opportunities for high speed and overnight freight, if the route is designed
with the appropriate capabilities. However, of even
greater importance is ensuring that rail freight gets its share of any capacity
released on the existing network, especially the West Coast and Midland Main
Lines.
9. The Office of
Rail Regulation (ORR) …the
ORR to ensure capacity for freight growth is maintained across the rail network.
Freight customers, and those investing in terminals, need assurance that
capacity for growth is available. Identifying freight capacity, and protecting it where possible is key to
that. Industry projects have
made some progress in this, but they need the ORR to confirm and enforce them, and to ensure
that freight growth is not sacrificed unnecessarily.
10. Mega trucks And
finally…the RFG urges both the Department for Transport (DfT) and the European
Commission to reject calls for longer (and heavier) lorries. Increasing the
size of trucks undermines rail freight by making road freight cheaper. Modal
shift to rail freight offers much greater environmental savings than these
trucks can ever offer, and should not be deterred by unnecessary changes to lorry
dimensions.
[ENDS]
Notes to editor
For further information please contact James Falkner, communications manager
for the RFG, on 07950 535 886 or james@rfg.org.uk
About the Rail
Freight Group (RFG)
The RFG has been the ’s
leading rail freight campaign group since its formation in 1991. It has more
than 150 member companies, ranging from Maersk, the world's largest container
shipping line, to high street retailer, Marks & Spencer.
Our members include customers, logistics providers, suppliers, terminal
operators, ports and freight train operating companies.
RFG's aim is to promote cost effective rail solutions for freight, with a
vision to see the sector attract a steadily increasing market share year on
year.
RFG works hard in the interests of its members; to represent their views and
provide a wide range of advice and information.
RFG is a company limited by guarantee and all revenue is ploughed back into
providing services to members.
It was originally formed in 1991 to represent the views of those involved with
the rail freight industry that were not British Rail.
The RFG seeks to achieve its objectives by organising meetings and visits, by
responding to consultation papers and by lobbying government, European
Institutions, the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) and Network Rail.
One of its major successes was the inclusion in the 1993 Railways Act of a duty
on the government and Rail Regulator (now Office of Rail Regulation) to promote
rail freight.
RFG also looks to involve the media in positive comment and news where
possible, and publishes a newsletter, circulated to nearly 2,000
opinion-formers, generally every two months.
