FTA WELCOMES STRATEGY FOR RAIL FREIGHT GROWTH

The Freight Transport Association has today welcomed the publication by Network Rail of its Freight Route Utilisation Strategy (Freight RUS). The Freight RUS sets out a strategy for dealing with the growth that can reasonably be expected to occur on the network by 2015 and the key issues which arise from that growth. The RUS considers a range of solutions from timetabling improvements to infrastructure developments.

Unlike the individual geographical RUSs which address changing demands on individual parts of the network, the Freight RUS considers the role of freight across the entire network.

Chris MacRae, FTA's Rail Freight and Global Supply Chain Service Manager commented, 'This Strategy represents a positive step for rail freight. Through the Freight RUS, Network Rail is pro-actively planning for freight growth across the network, and taking account of forecast developments in trade, provided by FTA and others. This work is vital and we applaud Network Rail for doing it.'

In relation to the proposals Network Rail make in the document, MacRae said, 'We are particularly pleased that Network Rail is developing a forward strategy for gauge clearance to allow newer, larger intermodal containers to be carried to and from the UK's international gateway ports. This is important for the sustained competitiveness and reliability of the UK supply chain.'

MacRae concluded, 'This Strategy, whilst it will not solve all the capacity problems that rail freight will face in the next few years, will be a good aid to the continued growth of rail freight in this country.'