Governments in London, Cardiff, and Edinburgh should strengthen financial backing for rail amid ambitious growth targets and economic challenges. In response to the UK Department of Transport’s (DfT) ongoing review of mode shift grants, Rail Partners, an industry-wide advocacy group, has underscored the crucial role of government support in driving the growth of rail freight…
Author: Simon Walton
UK Government grants are vital support for rail freight development
Governments in London, Cardiff, and Edinburgh should strengthen financial backing for rail amid ambitious growth targets and economic challenges. In response to the UK Department of Transport’s (DfT) ongoing review of mode shift grants, Rail Partners, an industry-wide advocacy group, has underscored the crucial role of government support in driving the growth of rail freight…
England: Hope Valley Project in final push
Work has started on the final engineering project to upgrade the Hope Valley line in the north of England. The line, which crosses the Pennines (north-south ridge chain), and connects Sheffield with Manchester, will be closed all of this week. The work also affects alternative routes, and a section of the Midland Main Line between […]
Boxes and biomass shore up latest UK freight figures
The latest quarterly freight figures have some pleasing headlines. However, beyond the standfirst of growth in domestic intermodal and an upturn in biomass movements, there’s a less rosy picture in the big ticket items of maritime movements and construction materials. The two dominant sectors moved in opposite directions, amounting to an overall fall in freight […]
Boxes and biomass shore up latest UK freight figures
The latest quarterly freight figures have some pleasing headlines. However, beyond the standfirst of growth in domestic intermodal and an upturn in biomass movements, there’s a less rosy picture in the big ticket items of maritime movements and construction materials. The two dominant sectors moved in opposite directions, amounting to an overall fall in freight […]
A shorthaul intermodal connection in Scotland might soon be reality
A trial has been held of a sub-fifty mile (80km) intermodal haul in Central Scotland. The revival could connect an intermodal terminal in Paisley, to the west of Glasgow, with the rail freight terminal at the Port of Grangemouth on the River Forth. The rail freight connection would offer an alternative to the congested roads […]
‘Brakes, brakes, brakes’ the takeaway from Liverpool Street incident report
The UK Rail Accident Investigation Branch has released its findings after an investigation of a runaway train incident at Liverpool Street Station in London. The non-fatal accident happened in October 2022. It involved a freight train which was serving an engineering possession at the time. In its findings, the RAIB stressed the importance of drivers […]
Scottish rail freight champion but money too tight to mention
Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Transport at the Scottish Government, has spent a week in consultation with the rail freight industry. The minister’s multiple appearances included addressing assemblies in Glasgow at a rail industry seminar and at less fashionable Grangemouth. Keynote speeches delivered a message of support to the rail freight sector. She also delivered […]
UK Budget leaves rail freight sector feeling unloved
Jeremy Hunt delivered a budget speech last week. It may be his last. it’s not because the rail freight sector has put out a contract on the UK Chancellor. However, there may well be an election before he has another opportunity to deliver some solace for the sector. A budget speech may not be the […]
UK Budget leaves rail freight sector feeling unloved
Jeremy Hunt delivered a budget speech last week. It may be his last. it’s not because the rail freight sector has put out a contract on the UK Chancellor. However, there may well be an election before he has another opportunity to deliver some solace for the sector. A budget speech may not be the […]