The latest quarterly ORR rail freight statistics , issued , show continued record expansion in the two main rail freight markets of construction (up 1.3 per cent) and consumer (intermodal) traffic (up 1.72 per cent).
Furthermore, so-called other traffic, which includes biomass and mail, was up 23 per cent and international was up 10 per cent which shows that the latter is recovering after external pressures. Overall, the industry continues to adjust to the deep decline in coal traffic.
Philippa Edmunds, Freight on Rail Manager, Campaign for Better Transport said:
“Rail freight has a key role in servicing industry in a safer, [2] cleaner [3] way which reduces road congestion and improves productivity.
“New research [4] shows that transferring a further 2,000 lorry loads a day to rail, where there is a parallel rail route, such as the A34, M6 and A14, could reduce nitrogen dioxide emissions by 10 per cent and particulates by seven per cent on each corridor if the Government upgraded the rail network.”
She continued,
“HGVs account for around 21 per cent of road transport nitrogen dioxide emissions while making up just five per cent of vehicle miles [5] so instead of building yet more roads, priority should be given to upgrading the rail freight network to reduce air pollution, congestion and collisions.” [6]
For further information
Philippa Edmunds
Phone 020 8241 9982
mobile 07593976548
web site: www.freightonrail.org.uk
