Freight is not just for Christmas, said the chief executive of Network Rail. Jeremy Westlake was addressing a seasonal gathering of the Rail Freight Group in London, where he was guest of honour. In his keynote speech, he underlined the essential contribution that rail freight makes to the UK economy and environment.
Jeremy Westlake also stressed the crucial role rail freight will play in the reformed railway under Great British Railways (GBR). His words gave some solace to industry stakeholders, who may have concerns over the concurrent Network Rail announcement. The infrastructure management agency is launching a government-mandated consultation on access charges, which will be levied on freight operations, to be implemented by the forthcoming Great British Railways.
Access charge policy
“Freight isn’t just for Christmas – it operates 24/7, 365 days a year,” said Jeremy Westlake to the audience at the RFG charity-supporting annual luncheon. “It plays a critical role in keeping Britain supplied, from gifts and food to fuel. Freight delivers economic and environmental value. It contributes 2.5 billion pounds annually, with 90% of benefits outside London and the South East. When freight thrives, the country thrives.”
Jeremy welcomed the provisions in the Railways Bill, which give GBR a statutory duty to promote freight and establish new access and charging frameworks designed to give operators greater certainty and fairness, supporting the UK Government’s commitment to 75% growth by 2050. In contrast to the cautious note sounded by his organisation, Jeremy Westlake noted that 17 applications have been approved under the Access Charges Discount Policy, unlocking around 108 new freight flows each week.
Effects of Gemini
New initiatives such as Digital Freight Load Books – an online update of the traditionally paper-recorded weight and length limits for freight journeys across the network – were highlighted by the chief executive. He said they are improving safety and efficiency. Growth boards and additional capacity on corridors such as Essex Thameside demonstrate proactive planning for future demand, he said. Westlake called for action for continued collaboration between industry, government and customers.
Supporting those sentiments, Maggie Simpson OBE, RFG director general, paid tribute to the way the industry has worked together through another demanding year. She highlighted the sector’s rapid and coordinated response to major shipping line changes in the spring – the collateral effects of the Gemini cooperation between Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd (see reporting on WorldCargoNews.com), which saw around a dozen rail freight services re-timetabled to follow container shipping port calls that were moved from Felixstowe to London Gateway.
Generosity shows no bounds
Maggie Simpson also noted the concerted effort the national representative body has made to address the government on its rail reform agenda. “The draft Railways Bill now sets a strong framework for freight within Great British Railways, and that is down to your actions,” she said to the assembled members. “There is still plenty more yet to do to ensure reform is fit for purpose.” She pointed to encouraging developments in low-carbon fuels and new markets, including test trains conveying hydrogen in containers from Doncaster and the imminent arrival of the UK’s first hydrogen-powered shunting locomotive.
Thanks to the generosity of attendees, the lunch raised over 7,000 pounds for the Railway Benefit Fund, which helps railway people and their families in times of need. RFG also thanked its sponsors, VTG Rail UK and Associated British Ports, for their support of the event.