Association backs ‘virtual route’ for rail freight

The creation of a ‘virtual route’ for rail freight has been welcomed by the Freight Transport Association (FTA).

Network Rail has created the ‘route’ following recommendations in the Shaw Report ( RAIL 802). The infrastructure company said that it also forms part of its devolution plans.

“The announcement of a single MD dealing with freight operations and other GB-wide operators is a welcome one, and develops the ‘system-operator’ role in the Shaw Report. Most freight flows in Britain operate across more than one Network Rail boundary,” said FTA Head of Rail Policy Chris MacRae.

He explained that the Shaw Report, which was released on March 16 ( RAIL 797), recognised concerns within the freight sector that Britain-wide freight operations should not be compromised by route devolution and the possible alignment with dominant train operating companies on specific routes.

In the Shaw Report, it stated that only 47% of freight operating companies that responded to the report felt NR was doing its best for the freight industry. The ‘virtual route’ was a recommendation in the report, with a suggestion that it would share some of the properties of the geographical routes in terms of autonomy and local policy setting.

MacRae added: “The associated announcement of enhanced governance arrangements and business development relations for freight is also a positive move.

“Rail freight faces a number of challenges in developing into new markets that are not naturally aligned to rail, after the ending of coal traffic. It is therefore vital that a flexible, customer-oriented and responsive structure exists to facilitate the gaining of new traffics to rail.”