Press Release                            28 January 2010

RFG backs new Welsh rail study 

The Rail Freight Group (RFG) has welcomed the publication of a new report into developing Wales’ rail network and to better understand freight movement around the country. 

The Enterprise and Learning Committee’s paper ‘Future Railway Infrastructure in Wales’ is a comprehensive study that contains 21 wide-ranging recommendations, aimed at informing Welsh Ministers and developing the sector.

The RFG’s Welsh representative, Robin Smith, who attended the committee hearing on 11 November 2009, welcomed the recommendations and said they would have a direct impact on increasing freight movements by rail in Wales.

He said: “I am pleased to see the references to the need for signalling, loading gauge and axle-weight capacity enhancements and that electrification is a golden opportunity to achieve these as part of the work programme.” 

He added that the Welsh government had to continue lobbying for the electrification of the railway network, in particular with linking the Great Western Mainline as far as Swansea.

The report said there were three key recommendations for freight and suggested the Welsh government had to give higher priority and increased resources to encouraging a modal shift of freight from road to rail.

It concluded by saying: “The first priorities should be the diversionary lines between South Wales and London, the Cardiff area network - including the Valleys Lines - and the North Wales Mainline. We also recommend that Network Rail ensure that sufficient gauge clearance is provided on any electrified track to take freight as well as passenger traffic, and that the best technology be used to minimize disruption to rail services while electrification work is being carried out.”

[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 UK’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 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.