Government sets out ‘long-term vision’ for freight

Priorities include the establishment of a multi-modal national freight network.

A NATIONAL freight network encompassing rail, road, air, sea and inland waterways, as well as warehouse infrastructure is one of five priorities in the Government’s long-term ‘Future of freight’ plan.

The task of identifying a network with the aim to “remove the barriers which prevent the seamless flow of freight” is ranked first in the list, which also includes the forging of “a new open and honest relationship” with the sector through a forum to assess future energy and fuel needs to support the transition to ‘net zero’ carbon emissions by 2050.

Exploring options for planning reform, the promotion and development of long-term career opportunities within freight and logistics and the use of a £7 million Freight Innovation Fund to maximise the use of data and technology are other key areas highlighted.

Being held to account

The Freight Council (the cross-modal forum established last year with the initial focus of developing the plan) will be charged with holding the Government and the freight sector to account on delivering the commitments. Its rail representatives are Rail Freight Group director general Maggie Simpson and Rail Delivery Group chief executive

Jacqueline Starr.

As well as acknowledging that it provides an alternative to movement by sea for containerised and bulk freight, the plan highlights the importance of the

Channel Tunnel to key supply chains, citing automotive manufacturing, supermarkets and steelmaking as examples.

Considering the rail freight market as a whole, it says that the biggest shift in demand in recent years has been from low value bulk to higher value intermodal goods, driven by trailing-off of coal movements.

On carbon emissions, it draws attention to just 5% of freight currently being hauled by electric locomotives and the challenges posed by the high cost of electricity and a network which is only 38% electrified. It adds that the deployment of “other technologies” will be necessary, but that “the pathway for this remains unclear”.

The DfT has commissioned the Great British Railways Transition Team (GBRTT) to gather and present information in order to determine growth targets for rail freight.

Launched in July, the first phase involves consultation with the rail industry and other stakeholders in order to develop options which will be passed to the Transport Secretary.

KEN BRUNT WAGONS ROLL: GB Railfreight Class 66 No. 66720 was named Wascosa during an event on June 28 at London Victoria. The leasing firm showcased examples of its ‘flex freight system’ vehicles that can be configured with a range of superstructures allowing multiple uses. Five wagons which form part of a 570-strong order for flat and box types for Network Rail were displayed. GBRf will build and own the modules for the flat wagons and maintain the fleet.