A one-day general strike in France today over the rising cost of living is expected to bring some disruption to rail freight, according to one major operator. The strike is expected to be particularly widespread across the French rail network and also highly-localised in certain areas such as the Greater Paris region, a spokesperson for DB Cargo told RailFreight.com.
Another blackspot could be on the Atlantic rail corridor, with the closure of the line in the proximity of Poitiers, in western France, a recognised bottleneck. “We are anticipating that most of the impact on our services from industrial action will come this evening,” thespokesperson said.
Ahead of the strike, few (freight train) cancellations had been confirmed and DB Cargo France was making numerous adjustments to its transport plans in collaboration with (French rail infrastructure manager) SNCF Réseau. It was also awaiting confirmation of the train paths that would be open in order to be able to provide a more accurate overview of the strike’s impact.
Cancellations
Among the train cancellations DB Cargo France has flagged to date are one service between Forbach (eastern France) and Irun, on the French-Spanish border,one service between Chalon (centre-east France) and Marseille-Fos, two services between Calais and Perpignan and one ‘combi’ service between Paris/Valenton-Metz (eastern France), the spokesperson noted. In addition to these, DB Cargo France has rescheduled two trains to run after the strike.
Elsewhere, DB Cargo France is expecting to operate “without major issues” on other routes in northern France and the Belgian border, notably between Lille and Metz and the Mediterranean. “But we’re keeping a close eye on some sites which are reported to be ‘non-striking’ but which could experience some disruption, namely Woippy and Culmont, in eastern France.
“It is also important to note that this strike is taking place ahead of engineering works on the line to the north of Paris which will be will be completely closed this coming weekend. Consequently, trains originating in Germany and heading for south-westFrance will not be able to pass through. So clearly this will complicate the resumption of traffic flows on the Atlantic corridor.”
Support for strike focused on SNCF Réseau
There were no no signs of DB Cargo France’s own staff supporting the strike, the spokesperson added. Meanwhile, at Rail Logistics Europe (RLE), which groups all of SNCF’s rail freight subsidiaries, few of its staff had heeded the strike call and that it was mainly being supported by staff at SNCF Réseau, a spokesperson toldRailFreight.com.
SNCF Réseau was approached for comment. DB Cargo France chief Alexandre Gallo has long-argued that it is unfair for rail operators in France to have their services impacted as a result of external industrial disputes which invariably lead to the disruption on France’s rail network.