At a recent plenary session, the Grand Est regional public authority, in eastern France, adopted a new multi-modal (rail, river/inland waterway and road) freight and logistics strategy for 2025-2030. The ambitious plan aims to make it a major player in sustainable freight transport, promoting economic competitiveness and ecological transition.
The region, located at the crossroads of major European freight corridors, already boasts the largest number of railway lines in France dedicated exclusively to freight and which transport an estimated five million tonnes of goods each year, using 4,200 trains – the equivalent of 200,000 fewer HGVs on the roads. “Rail and river freight transport is a solution for the future, still underused in France compared to our European neighbours, but essential for reducing road congestion, improving air quality and reducing our carbon footprint,” it said.
Re-generation of 12 freight branch lines
The three-pronged strategy focuses on: at local level, modernising shippers’ capillary or secondary lines and connections; at regional level, creating a network of high-performance multimodal infrastructure; and at European level, aiming to strengthen links with major French and Northern European ports, notably Le Havre, Dunkirk, Marseille, Antwerp-Zeebrugge and Rotterdam
It makes provision for the re-generation of 12 freight branch lines by 2028, at a cost of 96.7 million, euros, including 36 million euros financed by the Grand Est region. One example is the line between Colmar and Neuf-Brisach, covering a distance of 18 kilometers and on which 350 trains operate annually. 9.2 million euros has been allocated for renovation work over an 18-month period, with the State and the region contributing a little over 41% and 35.5% respectively of the total.
France’s rail infrastructure manager, SNCF Réseau, had warned that short of the work being carried out, the line was threatened with closure from next year. In addition, 22 million euros is to be allocated to other lines, including a study on the reopening of the Rambervilliers-Bruyères line which has been closed since 1998.
Fitting out of eight terminals
A further 20 million euros has been earmarked for the development of direct rail connections to shippers and businesses via terminal branch lines. The development and fitting out of eight multimodal terminals, situated at ports, marshalling yards and combined rail-road facilities, is also planned. It will represent 73.5 million euros in investment, with the region contributing 16.5 million euros.