Rail freight
Further electrification is vital for rail freight to decarbonise, says
Rail Freight Group Director General Maggie Simpson.
“We need more investment in the overhead electrified network. Rail freight can play a significant part in decarbonising freight in the UK - particularly on trunk routes,”
Simpson told a Smart Transport online seminar on April 9, on the challenges and opportunities for the freight and logistics industry over the next 30 years.
She said that the COVID-19 pandemic had “focused minds” on why freight is important, adding that rail freight today emits 76% less CO than road haulage.
Simpson also took the opportunity to highlight the ease of access into city centres that rail freight often enjoys: “Rail can get into city centres. Day in, day out, rail freight is getting into them, often for construction.
It may not look like the sexiest operation you’ve seen - but it is fundamental.”
She highlighted the efforts being made to use redundant passenger rolling stock to carry freight, explaining to delegates that although the market is investing in rail freight it needs a public policy framework which supports it.
In the longer term, she explained that rail freight can help support low-carbon ‘last mile’ modes, with some high-value niche products already carried using unused space on passenger trains.
Simpson concluded with a fivepoint plan to boost rail freight: a pro-rail freight public policy; a supportive planning system; cost neutrality for customers; investment in rolling stock, management systems and facilities; and investment in network electrification.