140 March 2020 NEWS www.rfg.org.uk Helping ensure a sustainable future for UK rail freight HS2 must deliver its promises on rail freight Vital capacity potential must not get overlooked by ‘speed’ debate. P.3 RFG welcomes On 11 February, Rail Freight Group (RFG) network where HS2 trains will operate. This is Joe O’Donnell as its strongly welcomed the Government essential to allow freight operators and custom- announcement that HS2 is to be delivered ers to develop their future plans, and to ensure new Head of Policy in full, with work on Phases 1 and 2A that the benefits of HS2 can now be delivered given the green light to commence immedi- in practice.” ately and Phase 2B to be developed towards implementation. Views from the sector: HS2 has the potential to deliver significant ben- DB Cargo CEO Hans-Georg Werner said HS2 efits for rail freight by releasing capacity for new represented a “once in a generation” opportu- services on the existing network. With each nity to massively bolster rail capacity, providing freight train producing 76% less CO2 than the significant economic and environmental bene- equivalent road journey, HS2 can also help fits for freight operators. decarbonise freight transport by allowing new P.4 services to operate, taking more HGVs off the “This is fantastic news for the rail freight in- East Midlands congested road network. However, to date, dustry and its customers. We are pleased the Gateway opens for the Government has not confirmed how much Government has recognised the strength of the business capacity will be made available for freight once many arguments the industry made for build- the new line is open. ing HS2,” he said. “The existing rail network is heavily congested and the securing of pathways Maggie Simpson, RFG Director-General, said: for new traffic is already a major headache for “The decision to proceed with HS2 is great many operators. We expect demand for rail news for the freight sector, and for the UK econ- freight to continue to rise and the building of the omy. Our members welcome the decision and new high-speed rail link will ensure we can de- are keen to see rapid progress in constructing liver an even faster and more efficient service this new railway. Now that the uncertainty is for our customers in the future whilst reducing over, Government and HS2 must act to confirm road congestion and our overall environmental and safeguard released capacity for freight use impact.” and to resolve bottlenecks elsewhere on the Continued on page 2. P.9 RFG Members meet to tackle Scottish rail freight challenges. Scottish Transport Minister announces renewed support for rail freight See page 8. Get your entries in for the RFGDetails onAwards page 3. 2020! RFG News Mar 2020 Director-General’s Update: Maggie Simpson email your comments to [email protected] checks, including safety and security declarations will be Uncertain required, and work is underway to ensure that the previ- ously agreed protocols for Channel Tunnel rail freight are impact on still comprehensive. rail freight Yet despite these risks there are also huge opportunities ahead. At the recent opening of the new East Midlands from Covid-19 Gateway, John Williams, the CEO of Maritime Transport set out the opportunities he sees for growth in rail from epidemic the site, linking the new warehouses with ports and other By Maggie Simpson, Director distributors across the country. With daily services now General, Rail Freight Group (RFG) operating to and from the site there was a huge sense of optimism in the room, and speeches from Sir John Peace, Chair of the Midlands Engine, and Rail Minister Chris He- There is little doubt that the global spread of corona- aton-Harris also emphasised the potential for growth. virus is deeply concerning from a public health per- spective, but the ensuing economic impacts are also Our Scottish Conference in Bellshill last week also had severe. In the UK we have seen airlines cutting back a strong positive feel. Opening the conference, Michael on routes, the collapse of Flybe, companies cutting Matheson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infra- back on staff travel and events and supply chain in- structure and Connectivity at Scottish Government said, terruption. For the rail freight sector there has been an ‘I cannot stress enough the opportunity for rail freight in immediate and direct impact with several intermod- the current environment’. Subsequent presentations from al services being stood down, because the inbound Network Rail, PD Stirling and Highland Spring, amongst sailings to the UK from China have been cancelled. others, also emphasised the huge opportunity ahead. There is little that the UK rail freight industry can do to manage this risk, and it is unclear how long it will con- This positivity is compelling, particularly when things are tinue for. Companies are taking all the necessary steps not easy in the existing business, and at RFG we will con- to deliver for customers while managing business risk tinue to work to make the case for growth as well as be- and there is a great deal of collaboration to find the op- ing alter to the current situation. Keep your goods news timum solution. At RFG we are monitoring the changes, stories coming and let’s keep making this year a positive. and making sure that the impact is understood by policy makers and opinion formers, as well as supporting our RFG Team News members where we can. Let us hope that the situation We were delighted to welcome Joe O’Donnell to the can be quickly controlled globally, and that as we move to RFG team at the start of the year as our new Head of the summer months rail volumes pick up again. Policy. Joe is based in the London office and will be working with me to formulate our policy agenda, working with members to identify priority areas for our campaign Please note that all RFG events are continuing as work. If you have not met Joe yet you can contact him at normal unless advised differently by Government. If [email protected]. More details on page 3 and Policy Update concerned at all, please contact Phillippa O’Shea at on page 4. [email protected]. There is more detail and links on this issue on page 4. In Scotland David Spaven, who has worked with RFG for The sudden impact is of course set again a backdrop nine years, will retire at the end of March. David has played of change. With the UK’s departure from the EU at the a huge part in RFG and in Scottish rail freight, and he will end of January the new Government is looking to future be very much missed. We wish him well for the future and trade relationships and establishing the necessary trad- thank him for all that he has done for rail freight growth ing arrangements. For border checks it seems that full and RFG. We are currently recruiting a replacement. • our economy into the future. If HS2 does Review and the Prime Minister have ac- Continued from page 1. not get the green light, the country will knowledged. have missed a unique opportunity to de- Freightliner CEO Gary Long added: “With carbonise much of the transport network. “The decision will free up extra capacity each freight train taking an average 76 Instead of looking to a future of traffic jams on the West Coast Mainline which will help lorries off UK roads, a failure to build the and delays, this is the moment to make a the growth of rail freight, supporting eco- new line will lead to hundreds more heavy choice for a sustainable future”, he added. nomic growth across the UK and helping goods vehicles on the M6 every day. HS2 the delivery of the Government’s targets is an investment that will ease road con- John Smith, MD of GB Railfreight, who to decarbonise the economy by support- gestion and boost local train services. submitted a response to the Oakervee ing the shift of freight from road to more Acting like a by-pass does to local roads, Review, said: “I am delighted and relieved sustainable rail services.” scope to add more local passenger ser- the Government has given the green light vices will also be hampered should HS2 to the project. HS2 will be the first new rail- RFG position paper on HS2 and the West not continue. way constructed north of London for over Coast Main Line is here. a century, creating much needed capaci- “Businesses need efficient transport links ty and connections across the North and RFG Submission to the Oakervee Review to get their goods to market, and by re- Midlands. There is no other viable alterna- is here. • leasing capacity on the existing rail net- tive to the project, as both the Oakervee work, HS2 can deliver on this, supporting 2 RFG News Mar 2020 RFG drives forward News in brief policy agenda with • GB Railfreight has now resumed services from new appointment Cricklewood to Calvert. It The Rail Freight Group is delighted to is operating services five announce the appointment of a new Head times a week between S of Policy to help drive forward its work in Walsh and Sons waste supporting the development of the UK rail transfer station, off Brent freight sector. Terrace at Cricklewood, to FCC Environment’s landfill Joe O’Donnell comes to the RFG at a time of site in Buckinghamshire, intense activity and his support is going to add a transporting building and huge resource to the team as it meets the grow- construction waste.