Longer freights?
Freight can be transferred from road to rail, but more paths, improved capacity and longer trains will be required.
FREIGHT can be transferred from road to rail, but more paths, improved capacity and longer trains are needed to make it happen.
Within the next five to seven years, the amount of freight transported by rail could increase by up to 60%, based on a combination of current-funded Control Period 5 Network Rail projects and as yet unfunded proposals in CP6 from NR’s Freight Network Study.
Research carried out by consultant MTRU on behalf of Campaign for Better Transport (CBT), and sponsored by the Department for Transport, looked at the economic benefits of railways against roads, aimed at solving road congestion and improving productivity.
There was a particular focus on three congested core routes: the A14 between Felixstowe and the Midlands; the A34 between Southampton and the Midlands; and the M6/M62 motorways.
MTRU’s report states that the two ‘A’ roads have up to 6,500 of the largest HGVs (five and sixaxle articulated lorries) each day, equating to 10%-17% of all traffic. The M6 has 13,500 of the largest HGVs per day, while the M62 has 11,000 per day.
The research found that upgrading existing rail lines that run parallel to these roads would enable the removal of large numbers of these lorries. It claims that removing 2,000 lorries each day equates to 8,000 cars, stating that as more rail freight interchanges are built, so there is more scope for modal shift.
CBT is using the research to call on Government to plan its road and rail investment strategies, particularly the Strategic Rail Freight Network (SFN).
“This research confirms what we have long argued - that integrated rail and road planning is the best way to reduce road congestion, collisions and pollution,” said CBT freight spokesman Philippa Edmunds.
“It shows that on certain strategic transport corridors it is possible to improve road conditions without needing to add more road capacity.
“It shows the extent to which upgrading the rail freight network on key strategic corridors ameliorates road congestion and therefore improves productivity. Transferring freight from road to rail would bring serious additional benefits not quantified in this report - improved road safety and reduced air pollution and carbon emissions should also be considered.”
Asked by RAIL if highlighting the A14 and A34 shows that the Department for Transport may fund improvements to the railway system that parallels these routes (for example, electrification), a DfT spokesman said: “We agree with the Campaign for Better Transport that rail freight offers real benefits for the environment and helps keep bulky loads off of the road network, helping to ease congestion for other motorists.
“We look forward to using these findings to help inform our coming road and rail strategies, and are committed to working with the rail freight industry to support growth of the sector.”