View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by WestminsterResearch The role for rail in port-based container freight flows in Britain ALLAN WOODBURN Bionote Dr Allan Woodburn is a Senior Lecturer in the Transport Studies Group at the University of Westminster, London, NW1 5LS. He specialises in freight transport research and teaching, mainly related to operations, planning and policy and with a particular interest in rail freight. 1 The role for rail in port-based container freight flows in Britain ALLAN WOODBURN Email:
[email protected] Tel: +44 20 7911 5000 Fax: +44 20 7911 5057 Abstract As supply chains become increasingly global and companies seek greater efficiencies, the importance of good, reliable land-based transport linkages to/from ports increases. This poses particular problems for the UK, with its high dependency on imported goods and congested ports and inland routes. It is conservatively estimated that container volumes through British ports will double over the next 20 years, adding to the existing problems. This paper investigates the potential for rail to become better integrated into port-based container flows, so as to increase its share of this market and contribute to a more sustainable mode split. The paper identifies the trends in container traffic through UK ports, establishes the role of rail within this market, and assesses the opportunities and threats facing rail in the future. The analysis combines published statistics and other information relating to container traffic and original research on the nature of the rail freight market, examining recent trends and future prospects.