Rail freight breaks out of its heavy haul ghetto

Rail freight figures, issued on 24th June by the Office of Rail Regulation, show that, despite the recession, rail freight market share and volumes have continued to increase in the key consumer market.

This sector (containers) has grown by 6.5%^[1] over the previous year despite the fact that overall port volumes nationwide have shrunk by 14%.  These figures show sustained year on year growth for the seventh year in succession with industry forecasts^[2] demonstrating that it can increase by fivefold in the next 20 years as long as the network is upgraded.

Philippa Edmunds, Freight on Rail Manager said: “Consumer rail freight is growing and this is in the public interest – it means less congestion^[3] and pollution^[4] on the roads.  And these figures show that rail is breaking out of its heavy haul tradition and succeeding in new markets.  If this is to continue, it needs limited but sustained Government support.  I urge the Government to retain its funding for the Strategic Rail Freight Network^[5] which will not only cater for the forecast increased container traffic, but also give the industry the confidence to continue investing in the sector.”

References
[1] ORR National Rail Trends Chapter 3 Freight.  Domestic intermodal, which is now larger than the coal market, has increased by 6.5%, international by 5.7%, the metals sector increased by 6.8% construction by 3% in 09/10 compared to 08/09. However, the coal market has decreased by 21.2% and oil and petroleum has decreased by 4.5%.
[2] Rail Freight Group/FTA forecasts June 2008.
[3] An average freight train can remove 50 long distance HGVs from our roads.
[4] Rail freight produces 70% less CO₂ emissions than road for the equivalent journey – DfT Logistics Perspective December 2008 P8 section 10.
[5] Department for Transport Strategic Rail Freight Network Vision September 2009

For further information, contact Philippa via e-mail: philippa@freightonrail.org.uk or visit: http://www.freightonrail.org.uk/

Published: 25/06/2010