The UK Rail Network covers some 20,000 miles of track and is therefore in a strong competitive position in transportation. Rail Freight has increased year or year for the past seven years, and by about 50% over the last ten years. This is expected to continue to grow though there is a need for more high speed track for freight traffic.
The advantages of Rail Freight for business transportation include:
- Relieving road congestion – a freight train can remove up to 75 long distance lorries from the roads
- Freight express trains can travel at 100mph a speed and reliability that s superior to road transport
- Railfreight is more reliable alternative to road if road congestion gets worse
- Rail freight creates around 70% less CO2 emissions than the equivalent road journey – that is, it is more energy efficient, more suitable for a green economy
- Rail Freight is safer than long distance road freight. HGVs are 3 times more likely to have fatal road accidents than cars for a variety of reasons
Given the support for the advantages of rail freight the industry is only really just beginning to develop its potential. Links between Rail Freight Transportation in the UK and Europe given the direct links with the European Rail network through Eurotunnel have been hampered by the need to use narrower, lower wagons to fit the UK Network’s narrow tunnels and low bridges, though there is now some progress with new routes.