Rail Freight Sector Hopeful of Quick Recovery

141 May 2020 NEWS www.rfg.org.uk Helping ensure a sustainable future for UK rail freight Rail freight sector hopeful of quick recovery Membership survey reveals cautious optimism for post-coronavirus recovery P.5 GBRf and A survey conducted by Rail Freight Group • Despite these challenges, there was cautious Porterbrook trial (RFG) of its members has highlighted the optimism over the return to economic normality. parcels service challenges facing companies across the rail 45% of respondents expect their businesses to freight sector but also offers hope that the recover this year. 71% expect the recovery to recovery may not be as protracted as feared. take more than two months, and 38% more than six months. The polling, conducted in April, reveals significant interruption to normal operations with firms Maggie Simpson, RFG Director-General, said: highlighting reduced demand and declining “Rail freight is playing a key role in keeping customer orders, cash flow concerns, business goods and supplies moving across the UK sup- suspension and interruption and delays in areas porting the economy and communities. Yet the such as planning decisions. sector is also being adversely affected by these unique challenges, and our members are telling • The majority of respondents had seen their us of the difficult actions they are having to take P.6 businesses affected by the current situation, to protect their businesses. London waste on with 54% of those surveyed having closed parts rail service of their business or expected to close soon. “It is encouraging to see that many businesses expect to see some return to normality this year, • 55% of businesses had furloughed staff, with but this will only happen with continued support 42% furloughing more than a quarter of their from Government and a steady and considered staff, and 17% more than half. approach to rebuilding business activity,” she added. • • Sickness was not a significant issue with 80% seeing absence levels below 10% in their busi- More on RFG’s response to Covid-19 on page 3. nesses.

Transfesa and DB Cargo launch P.7 Saying thank you to new Spain-UK express service Page 2. Covid-19 heroes

Photo: Howard Lewsey 92015 & 66017 crossing the Medway Bridge Get your entries in for the RFGDetails onAwards page 4. 2020! RFG News May 2020

Director-General’s Update: Maggie Simpson email your comments to [email protected]

For now, though we are continuing to press for the right Why there’s measures to keep rail freight on track, and to help rebuild services back to growth. In the short term this includes nothing financial measures, ensuring that Government support schemes work in our sector, and areas such as supply ‘normal’ about of PPE and keyworker testing. In the next few weeks, it is about keeping freight moving as a priority if and when the ‘new passenger services start to resume and making sure that support measures such as the furlough scheme are re- normal’ duced gradually and without any cliff edges. By Maggie Simpson, Director General, Rail Freight Group (RFG) We also recognise that business confidence is taking a bashing presently and we are starting to discuss the measures that Government could take to restore this and The current situation, and the months ahead are fre- encourage ongoing private sector investment. The an- quently being described as ‘the new normal’. It’s a nouncement of the Notice to Proceed on HS2 was an im- phrase I really dislike, for it seems to make what we portant step and unlocking other infrastructure schemes are experiencing now an acceptable and semi-per- which are awaiting decisions on planning or funding will manent thing. Whilst the controls and measures are help. From a rail perspective, securing confidence in fu- necessary to safely maintain the nations’ health now, ture access rights and charges will also be helpful. allowing them to become anything other than a crisis response raises some difficult questions for Govern- Finally, a huge thank you to all our members for their on- ment and business alike. going work in keeping their staff safe and the freight mov- Our conversations with members show the many lengths ing. Please do get in touch with any questions or issues. that are being taken to keep businesses functioning and We appreciate the current situation is highly concerning financially sound, and to ensure that staff are protected for all our members and staff. The RFG team stands and kept safe. The measures that are being taken are ready to help support everyone through this period, and working, but they are unpalatable for anything other than we will be sending out frequent updates with relevant in- the short term. So, we have to start thinking about how we formation as we receive it. The RFG team are working can safely start to unlock economic activity if and when from home and can be contacted as usual by mobile or Government decides to step forward out of lockdown. email – details are below. Indeed, there are already some promising green shoots where Government guidance has enabled some business Maggie Simpson, [email protected], 07737 007 957 activity to resume, for example in the construction sector. Joe O’Donnell, [email protected], 07974 168 922, (Working Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday) In my discussions with Ministers and officials it is clear Phillippa O’Shea, [email protected], 07931 763081 that they understand the huge contribution that freight Yvonne Mulder, [email protected], 07887 767 666 transport and rail in particular is making at the moment. Mike Hogg, [email protected], 07833 402 804 Indeed, the profile of rail freight has probably never been Robin Smith, [email protected], 07968 488 higher, and this is being helped by the continuing good 905 news stories that you can read about in this newsletter. James Falkner, [email protected], 07753 271 110.• This shows the resilience of our sector, and its determination to keep its customers happy and the goods moving. This has also been noticed by decision makers, and I believe it will stand us in good stead over the coming months.

Bernd Hullerum, CEO of Transfesa Logis- transport.” Transfesa Spain tics said currently, they are currently serving customers in the fruits and vegetables The new services operate into DB Cargo to UK Express but the objective is to expand the service UK’s Barking Intermodal Terminal in Lon- into a daily train for other chilled goods. don which is strategically connected to the service High Speed 1 (HS1) rail link. A lighter box, of the UNIT 45 type, has DB Cargo UK and its sister company been deployed on the service, which al- Hans-Georg Werner, CEO of DB Cargo Transfesa Logistics have launched lows around 30 containers per train to be UK, said: “DB Cargo UK are delighted a new express 72-hour rail service to moved. In this way, more products can be to be working with our DB Cargo group transport essential hygiene, medical included, and the capacity of each opera- partners at Transfesa Logistics to deliv- and food products from terminals in tion can be expanded. er essential rail freight services across Valencia and Murcia to London. the continent in these challenging times. “This is another step in the development Rail freight has a vital role to play in the The new 30-refridgerated box service ex- of our international corridors, thus ex- sustainable transportation of international pands Transfesa Logistics’ European op- panding services to a strategic segment. goods and it’s more important than ever erations and comes on the back of new In Valencia we have also just opened a that we ensure these supplies reach the perishables warehouse investment also in 2000 sq m warehouse for food products. UK.” • Valencia. The railway is, now more than ever, the most sustainable and reliable means of 2 RFG News May 2020 above link. RFG response to Demand for these tests has been high howev- News in brief

Covid-19 crisis er, we strongly encourage you to advise your • A downloadable video self-isolating staff to get a test if they or some- message from Transport Since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic, one in their household have symptoms. Click Rail Freight Group has been increasing its Minister Rachael Maclean the link here for details on getting tested. If you MP has been released. In membership communications, sending out need further guidance and support, please con- daily updates sharing Government advice it she thanks key work- tact DHSC at [email protected]. ers for their extraordinary and available support from both outside the A package of materials has been created to help sector and within. work and resilience during communicate with staff. Download the pack the Covid-19 crisis and here. We have set up a LinkedIn discussion group specifically targets freight to allow both members and non-members to transport. Social distancing Download the video here. stay up to date on rail freight-related issues and The Government has published additional guid- share their experiences and views. If you have ance to assist employers, businesses and their not signed up yet please feel free to do so here. • RFG Director-General staff in staying open safely during coronavirus. Maggie Simpson recent- Click the links below for sector-specific informa- ly wrote for RAIL maga- Some of the most relevant support measures tion. put in place for companies involved in the rail zine on the importance freight sector are linked below. of greater investment in RSSB Covid-19 Support overhead electrification RSSB has created a dedicated page on its web- Job Retention Scheme across the UK, as part of site to outline how it is supporting the rail indus- decarbonising freight. The Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention try during the Covid-19 pandemic. There are a Scheme went live on 20 April, with businesses Read the article here. number of useful links including two videos that Maggie also recent- able to claim up to 80% of a furloughed worker’s help promote safe decisions. salary caped at £2,500 a month. The scheme ly shared her top-five pri- has been extended until end of June. Employ- orities with Global Railway The first video is designed to help newcomers Review. Read it here. ers can apply for direct cash grants through understand Taking Safe Decisions, especially HMRC’s new online portal - with the money ex- useful for Safety Directors to use within their • Network Rail recently pected to land in their bank accounts within six own companies. working days. For further details click the link helped provide logistical and project management here. A webinar detailing information on how to The second video is designed to help people to make a claim is linked here. expertise to help deliv- start unpacking Taking Safe Decisions itself for er the NHS Nightingale example safety practitioners who have heard it Hospital North West in Testing key workers mentioned but want to know more. The testing of key workers has been a crucial Manchester. Dozens of issue for the transport and freight sectors. Gov- volunteers worked with The RSSB is also offering to defer fees to over the Army Reserve and Na- ernment has confirmed that key workers in the half its members in light of the Coronavirus. It transport sector, including rail freight, are now tional Health Service to has written to those members with an annual get the hospital, which has eligible for testing if they are symptomatic. De- turnover below £10m to offer them the oppor- tails are provided online. From now, essential capacity for up to 750 pa- tunity to defer payment of their RSSB member- tients, open over the East- workers can book tests for themselves and their ship levy for 2020-21 until later in the year. • household via a new online portal. The booking er weekend. service will apply to England and Scotland only, but full details on how to access testing in all • The Rail Supply Group nations and who is eligible can be found at the has launched an inde- pendent survey to gather views from senior logis- The teams at DB Cargo ticians across the sec- and Network Rail tor. Conducted by Savanta deserve huge credit ComRes, it said it believes for their hard work in the survey will provide val- running its heaviest ever uable insights to steer both train for customer British its current and future work. Steel. Click here for the details.

The service carried • Details on Labour’s coal from Redcar to new Shadow Cabinet are Scunthorpe and was available here. Jim McMa- pulled by two Class 66s hon MP has been named (66030 and 66149). Shadow Transport Secre- It weighed in at 4098 tary. You can follow him on tonnes and was made up Twitter at @JimfromOld- of 42 hopper wagons. ham

Photo by Darren Bailey.

3 RFG News May 2020

Enter the RFG Awards 2020 and help recognise the very best in our sector

The prestigious RFG Awards, which recognise excellence in all aspects of rail freight, are now open for entries. We would encourage all our members to use this opportunity to take the chance to acknowledge the outstanding work undertaken by your teams up and down the country, each and every day.

Winners will be presented with their trophies at an informal ceremony and dinner on Thursday 10 September 2020 at De Vere Latimer Estate, Chesham, Bucks HP5 1UG.

Awards categories:

• Customer Care (incorporating Support Services) • Community and Environmental Responsibility • Innovation & Technical Development • Rail Freight Project of the Year • Outstanding Individual Contribution • Young Rail Freight Professional • The Business of the Year Award (nominated and chosen by the judges from entries received)

Click here for all details and entry process. •

The 2020 RFG Awards are kindly sponsored by Burges Salmon LLP and GB Railfreight.

4 RFG News May 2020 DB Cargo runs HS2 Notice to West Midlands first Cricklewood Proceed issued Freight hub service for FCC to Construction decision delayed Environmental partners The DfT has said it will make a delayed decision on the much antici- DB Cargo has operated the first The Department for Transport (DfT) pated new freight handling facility service from the new rail freight has given approval for HS2 Ltd to West Midlands Interchange. terminal at Cricklewood to Calvert issue Notice to Proceed to its con- Landfill on behalf of FCC Environ- struction partners. The new strategic rail freight inter- mental. change is proposed for a site just Maggie Simpson, RFG’s Direc- north of Wolverhampton. The deci- Each train carries up to 1,500 tonnes tor-General, said: “We are delighted sion, after a lengthy planning and of construction spoil, removing up to that Government has finally given the consultation process, was due by 27 80 lorry movements from London’s go-ahead to start the construction of February, but has been extended. roads. Cricklewood is the third con- HS2. This decision is welcome news struction hub to be opened in the for many of our member businesses A brief statement from the DfT says capital as part of a long-standing part- who will supply materials and engi- that the delay is to allow for further nership between DB Cargo and FCC neering services to build this vital new work to be carried out before issuing a which, along with Barking and Bow railway. At a time of ongoing econom- determination. A decision is expected East, are capable of handling up to ic uncertainty, this is a shot in the arm very shortly. 1 million tonnes of construction spoil for the rail freight sector.” each year.

GBRf trials express parcels on passenger train GB Railfreight (GBRf) and Porterbrook have successfully trialled using former commuter trains for the express delivery of parcels. A service was run into Euston station in April using a Class 319, EMU train, which until recently was providing commuter services in the West Midlands.

The trial showed the trains could successfully be loaded and offloaded with standard roll cages at most mainline stations across the UK and when seats are removed the carriages John Smith, GBRf MD, said: “We are committed to continuing to can carry significant volumes of parcels. help the UK get through this period by ensuring that vital supplies are delivered. Rail freight has the advantage in being able to ef- This is the first time that successful trial of using a converted ficiently move very large volumes of goods in a safe and reliable commuter train has been undertaken in the UK. GBRf is now in way. This successful trial shows how the railways can play their discussion with Government about how the service could play a role in helping the speedy delivery of vital supplies and we are role in helping with the logistical challenge of delivering supplies keen to be able to do our bit to help the NHS meet the logistical to UK hospitals. challenge of keeping our hospitals supplied during this period of huge demand. Post-crisis these services could play a role in re- As well as strengthening supply chains during the current crisis, a ducing air pollution and carbon emissions associated with parcel return of parcel delivery services to mainline stations would pro- deliveries. With deliveries being brought into the heart of cities vide online retailers with a more sustainable and reliable options by train overnight and last mile deliveries then undertaken by for overnight parcel deliveries, bringing deliveries into the heart electric powered vehicles.” • of major cities.

5 RFG News May 2020 Waste service helps to create enough renewable energy to power 50,000 homes

Household waste is helping to keep the lights on for 50,000 homes during the coronavirus crisis as Network Rail continues to move an essential freight service which carries waste from London to an energy plant in the South West.

The waste from 1.6 million residents of Brent, Ealing, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow and Richmond-upon-Thames is carried 110 miles from waste transfer stations in Northolt and Brentford to the Severnside Energy Recovery Facility in Avonmouth six days a week.

The facility is operated by Suez Environmental with DB Cargo, responsible for haulage. •

Runcorn where it is recycled into high in the management and transportation of Freightliner quality raw materials and renewable domestic waste in Greater Manchester. energy. We rely on the Freightliner team every day helps keep waste to move tons of material from our waste Mike Nuttall, Communications and Part- handling and processing facilities across off the streets of nership Manager at Suez, said: “Everyone the region to the energy from waste plant in the waste industry is working hard to in Runcorn, ensuring we are able to city centres make sure we are able to maintain es- maintain the provision of key services to sential services for residents across the communities and local authorities across Freightliner is running three trains a country during these extremely challeng- Greater Manchester.” day on behalf of customers Suez, moving circumstances. ing around 1,500 tonnes of domestic Freightliner has tweeted out a short vid- waste from the streets of Manchester “Freightliner is one of SUEZ’s key partners eo of its 70001 loco moving wagons. • to the energy-from-waste (EfW) plant in in the north west, and they are a vital link

Rail moves 250,000 tonnes of goods across the South East in one week

Network Rail has applauded the role of freight in keeping the country going during Covid-19 and said that in one week in April, 381 freight trains carried goods totalling some 261,191 tonnes of goods. These included fuel to power stations, food for supermarkets, medicines and household waste.

Many housebuilding and engineering projects are routed through Kent and Sussex transporting materials such as aggregate and sand and building materials.

John Halsall, MD for Network Rail Southern Region, said: “It is essential we keep freight services running so that goods can be delivered to supermarkets, power stations are fuelled and crucial upgrades on the rail network continue so we can keep key workers moving. Signallers and maintenance teams, are working day in day out in this national effort to keep the rail network and support the country through this challenging time.” •

6 RFG News May 2020

GBRf thanks Captain Tom Moore for his NHS fundraising with loco naming in his honour GB Railfreight (GBRf) has thanked Captain Tom Moore for his fundraising efforts for the NHS with a birthday surprise – a locomotive named in his honour.

A 129-tonne, Class 66 freight locomotive, will be named ‘Captain Tom Moore’, with the added inscription ‘A true Brit- ish inspiration’. The name plates were produced by Procast, one of which has been kindly donated by Neil Booth, Director of Railwayana Auctions UK Ltd, as a thank you for Captain Moore’s amazing efforts. colours. In honour of your efforts, we are very proud to name this locomotive after you.” The loco is owned by Porterbrook and the project is co-funded by them. The naming took place to coincide with Captain Moore’s “After today, it will be pulling crucial rail freight throughout the 100th birthday (30 April). The name plate which will now adorn country helping to supply the NHS. It will also help deliver food the locomotive, was unveiled by GB Railfreight Managing Direc- to people’s tables and kick start the country’s economy as we tor John Smith, with Captain Moore watching the ceremony from move forward from the current difficulties. Thank you again for home. all of your efforts.”

Captain Moore won the hearts and minds of the nation, raising Lifelong rail enthusiast Neil Booth, Director of Railwayana Auc- over £29,000,000 for the NHS. GB Railfreight was keen to do its tions UK Ltd, said: “I was inspired by the sheer tenacity and bit to thank NHS workers for their extraordinary efforts during this conviction of the fundraising task for the NHS that Captain Tom period and decided to paint a locomotive with a message of grat- Moore had set himself and thought that it would be a wonderful itude from GB Railfeight to the NHS. Given Captain Moore’s in- idea to name a locomotive in his honour on his 100th birthday. spirational story, it was decided to name the locomotive after him. Once we had his family’s permission to do so, we very quickly had the nameplates cast, had Sir Peter Hendy CBE, Chairman John Smith, Managing Director of GB Railfreight said: “Happy of Network Rail and John Smith, Managing Director of GBRf on birthday Captain Tom! On behalf of myself and the whole team at board along with his management team and staff who have bent GB Railfreight I wanted to offer a huge ‘thank you’ for your fan- over backwards in providing a more than suitable locomotive tastic efforts in raising money for the NHS. We are in awe of your to be honoured in this way. I just can’t thank everyone enough achievement. We thought we were good at fundraising but you for their sterling efforts in making this happen within just seven have achieved a level that is quite simply inspiring. days.” •

“Last week we unveiled one of our freight locomotives in thanks to our wonderful critical workers at the NHS by painting it in their 7 RFG News May 2020

Severe storms and flooding in the area near Drax in Feb- GB Railfreight and Drax ruary resulted in damage to the rail tracks. GBRf has been working closely with Drax to reschedule rail deliveries and help ‘keep the lights on’ maximise capacity on the rail link while the repairs are com- pleted – maintaining the vital supplies of biomass needed for during Covid-19 crisis Drax to generate enough renewable electricity for up to four million households. Teams at GB Railfreight (GBRf) are continuing to work closely with Drax to maintain supplies of the sustaina- The rail planners who helped rework the timetable to accom- ble biomass needed for the UK’s largest power station modate the new train timings combined forces with train driv- to generate electricity needed by millions of homes and ers, signal controllers, Network Rail train marshals and Drax business during the Covid-19 crisis. logistics specialists to speedily restore flows of sustainable biomass to the power station. • RFG News May 2020

Policy Update: Joe O’Donnell email your comments to [email protected] ing to doing things completely differently (often relying on Planning for a untried technological solutions), as is often the climate better future in change prescription in other sectors. The National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), which is cur- Scotland rently out for consultation is an opportunity for the Scottish By Joe O’Donnell, Head of Policy, Rail Government to show how its commitment to tackling the Freight Group (RFG). climate emergency can work in practice. The Environment Strategy for Scotland set out the impressive ambition of The coronavirus is the most ending Scotland’s contribution to climate change by 2045. dramatic period of change I, This mission must permeate every aspect of society, in- and probably most people alive cluding planning, to succeed. today, have lived through. The realities of the rising death toll, life in lockdown and So how does planning relate to rail freight? A key issue in worries about family and friends’ vulnerability has NPF4 is what infrastructure does Scotland need to realise eclipsed experiences of previous crises. Yet corona- its ambitions and what transport connections are needed virus is not just affecting us all personally, it is having to support future development. These questions will be deep impacts on the economies of Scotland, the UK especially important if, in a post corona world, infrastruc- and the world. The long term impacts, like those of ture investment is used to stimulate the economy. the 2008 financial crash and September 11th, will no doubt take years to play out. The Rail Freight Group is We believe that the infrastructure NPF4 should plan working with its members to understand how they are for must include the electrification and enhancement of being affected by the crisis and what can be done to freight routes to enable larger trains to run more often support them through this exceptional period. and to secure cost-effective rail freight operations around Scotland and cross border to England. Suitable new rail We all have more time now to think about the kind of world terminal sites should also be identified to complete the we want to live in. The lockdown has offered glimpses strategic inter-urban network. Once this key infrastructure of a better future by dramatically reducing Scottish cities’ is in place, rail freight will be able to get more goods off air pollution. Glasgow Hope Street saw a 73% drop in the roads reducing pollution and congestion. NO2 concentrations compared to a similar period in 2019. There is a growing wave of those arguing that we should The planning system is also key to ensuring that environ- take advantage of this unique chance for a reset, by plan- mental issues are designed into future development from ning for a better future rather than trying to get back to the start and are not just an afterthought. The planning business as usual. system should encourage all infrastructure projects and new development to use rail freight to transport construc- What does a better future look like for rail freight? Da- tion materials by rail to reduce the number of heavy ag- vid Spaven, who did a wonderful job as the Rail Freight gregate lorries travelling through communities. Group’s Scottish Representative, gave me an overview of Scottish issues when he stepped down at the end of Rail freight already has much to thank Scotland for. Let March. I was struck by how forward thinking Scotland is in us hope that post corona the Scottish Government will many respects such as its retention of the freight facilities translate the time we’ve all had to reassess the way we grant which has been abolished in England, and the 7.5% want to live, into further real policy changes to support our rail freight growth target the Scottish Government set in sector in delivering dramatic carbon emission reductions 2017. in the immediate future.

But there is still room for improvement. The ‘National The deadline for the NPF4 call for ideas has been Transport Strategy 2’ published in February was a big extended from 31 March to 30 April. The RFG will be missed opportunity. Despite the fact that switching freight responding and we urge the public to add their weight to from road to rail reduces carbon emissions by around 76% our calls to prioritise rail freight to reduce carbon emis- and thus has an important role to play in helping to tackle sions as quickly as possible.• the climate emergency, rail freight is not mentioned at all Reproduced from Friends of the Scotsman. in the 61-page document. Switching freight from road to rail can offer a ‘quick win’, as it involves performing the same activity whilst creating less carbon, rather than try-

pact with the rail freight sector. bon element has no future. Construction RFG debates The RailFreight UK Webinar heard from traffic and intermodal are growing, and will three of leading rail freight commentators continue to grow. The work we have been key issues at who equally expressed confidence and doing for Network Rail and the Department caution over the next few months. She for Transport shows that long term growth railfreight.com spoke about the challenges ahead and will be driven by these sectors. More boxes the response from the sector as a whole. and more bulk on the rails many be a good webinar combination for operators, but those flows Mike Garratt, principal and founder of are seeing contrasting fortunes right now.” RFG’s Maggie Simpson recently joined consultancy MDS Transmodal, said: “The other rail freight experts to discus crit- long-term strategy for rail freight has to be ical issues around Covid-19 and its im- based on a non-carbon economy. The car- Click here for the full webinar. 9 RFG News May 2020 DB Cargo UK’s Head of Sales Roger Neary said: “It’s great to be New rail freight service in a position to continue to offer our customers new opportunities in the current economic climate. The construction sector has for a launched despite long time been a key market for DB Cargo UK and we are deter- mined to do whatever we can to support our customers through economic downturn these challenging times.”

DB Cargo UK and Cemex delivered a positive boost to the “The current crisis really has underpinned the important role UK’s rail freight sector in April with the launch of a brand- DB Cargo UK and other rail freight companies have to play in new service. keeping the country’s supply chains running in hard times. We’re proud of the role our people are playing.” Despite the ongoing economic uncertainty caused by the Coro- navirus pandemic, a train carrying 1,684 tonnes of aggregates Cemex’s UK Supply Chain Director Dave Hart said: “We are very made its inaugural journey from Cemex’s site at Peak Forest in pleased to have added this new service to our aggregates supply Derbyshire to Small Heath in Birmingham. chain, as it quickly and efficiently ensures our product can get where it is needed. This is more important than ever during these The train consisted of 22 MMA box wagons carrying aggregates difficult times as our materials are needed for vital infrastructure for use in Birmingham’s construction sector and the development to keep the country going. Rail is an integral component of our of HS2. transport strategy and we are planning to develop our portfolio further as we look to make our operations as sustainable as pos- The launch of the new weekly service at a time when the industry sible.” • is experiencing a general downturn in traffic due to Coronavirus restrictions is being seen as a really positive sign that the future continues to look bright for rail freight.

its staff working across the UK – from train up and down the country. Their distinc- DRS helping to crew to engineering and maintenance tive locomotives are moving thousands teams through to train planners and the of shipping containers every week – with keep the country essential office-based staff that keep the DRS initially running some of its longest rolling trains running on time. trains to keep up with demand. Chris Connelly, Managing Director, said: NDA Chief Executive, David Peattie, said: The team at Direct Rail Services (DRS) “We have an important role to play to help “DRS plays a crucial role in the NDA’s mis- has pulled out all the stops to make keep the country going during these diffi- sion – safely transporting materials across sure it can carry on delivering essen- cult times. DRS’ services make sure the the UK to support nuclear decommission- tial services throughout the Covid-19 country’s nuclear power stations can keep ing and EDF Energy’s operating power outbreak. working, food and other goods are availa- stations. Their non-nuclear work, keeping ble on supermarket shelves, key workers the supermarket shelves full and helping The specialist rail freight company, a sub- can get to their place of work, and the rail keep the rail network running for key work- sidiary of the Nuclear Decommissioning infrastructure can be maintained. ers, has never been more important.” • Authority (NDA), provides rail transport to a range of vital sectors, including nuclear “Everyone at DRS is doing an absolute- power stations, logistics and distribution ly fantastic job – all our colleagues have for supermarkets, passenger rail as well pulled together to ensure we can carry on as helping maintain the UK’s rail network. working at the same time as helping protect each other.” The Carlisle-based firm has enacted its business continuity plans and put in place DRS’ intermodal work has been crucial, extra layers of safety and protection for all delivering vital supplies for supermarkets 10

RFG News May 2020 Successor appointed to lead DB Cargo UK

DB Cargo UK’s current Chief Financial Officer, Andrea Ros- si, will become the company’s new CEO from 1 September, as Hans-Georg Werner announces his retirement.

Andrea (44) has worked for DB Cargo UK for the past seven years. Having obtained a master’s degree in business administration at Milan’s Bocconi University, he began his career with Italy’s leading retail and commercial banking group, Intesa San- paolo SpA, before joining Deutsche Bahn AG’s Mergers and Ac- quisitions Team in 2004.

He was promoted to Head of Planning and Reporting at DB Car- go AG in 2006 before moving to the UK to become a DB Cargo UK Board Member and Chief Financial Officer in 2013. DB said he was instrumental in the delivery of DB Cargo UK’s restructuring programme in 2017 and has since overseen a major overhaul of the company’s finance, procurement, IT and property portfo- lios. He is also currently overseeing a review of the company’s £1.3bn pension fund.

Rossi said: “I am absolutely delighted to be taking on the role of CEO at DB Cargo UK and would like to thank Hans-Georg for He agreed to take on the role for four years and immediately set the enormous contribution he has made to the company and the about implementing a major restructuring of the company which personal support he has given me over the years. I am under no resulted in significant improvements in both its operational and illusion that I am taking over the helm at yet another challenging financial performance. In 2018 he was appointed Chairman of time for the rail freight sector but, as we have proved before, our the Freight Board of Rail Delivery Group and the company was colleagues at DB Cargo UK have the skills and determination to voted Rail Freight Operator of the Year at the prestigious Golden overcome adversity. Despite the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, Freight Awards. DB Cargo UK is very well placed to resume where we left off when the current restrictions are lifted and remain fully focussed Commenting on his retirement, Werner said: “It has been an hon- on continuing to grow our business here in the UK. I look forward our and a privilege to work with my colleagues at DB Cargo UK to to the challenge.” oversee such a major turnaround in the company’s fortunes. The rail freight sector continues to face some significant challenges, Mr Werner has worked for the Deutsche Bahn (DB) Group for such as the current Coronavirus crisis, however it is now a much more than 30 years. After successfully fulfilling a number of sen- more professional and resilient organisation that will continue to ior operational and managerial roles across the continent, he deliver for its customers. was appointed to the Board of DB Cargo AG in Europe in 2008. “Even though I have had four years to plan for my retirement, I In 2016, he was appointed CEO of DB Cargo UK at a time when will still be sad to leave but I do so in the knowledge that my suc- the company had been hit by a sudden and very dramatic decline cessor has all the necessary skills and knowledge to continue to in the transportation of coal, its main and most lucrative market. build on what has been achieved recently.” •

Freightliner has unveiled its freshly painted loco 59206, the first Class 59 to have the G&W livery.

59206 will haul aggregates for Mendip Rail from quarries in Northern Somerset for various construction projects in London and the Southeast.

Thanks to driver Rich Acres for this amazing photo.

RFG News May 2020

Cloburn intends to commence exports via rail from this well-es- Cloburn Quarry Company tablished freight location to service its existing customers takes over Ravenstruther throughout the UK and Europe. Andy Johnson, Head of Asset Management at Hargreaves Land Rail Terminal said: “We are delighted to secure Cloburn as a long term tenant at Ravenstruther and it will be great to see rail freight back on the Hargreaves Land has secured Cloburn Quarry Company as national network from this location.” a new tenant at Ravenstruther Rail Terminal, near Lanark, South Lanarkshire. Stuart Clingan, Director of Cloburn Quarry Company said: “The acquisition of the leasehold at Ravenstruther represents a signif- Cloburn is one of the leading decorative aggregate suppliers in icant advancement in the company’s long-term supply strategy Europe and extracts a range of premium red granite aggregate and will undoubtedly strengthen our unique market position”.• products as well as industry leading rail and concrete aggregate products from its quarry close to the site.

GBRf launches new Thorney Mill service In partnership with GRS Group and Ashville Aggre- gates, GB Railfreight (GBRf) is running a regular service to deliver aggregate to Thorney Mill as part of initial works.

The service will run three times a week and demonstrates the vital role rail freight can play in helping the UK reduce CO2 emissions to meet the 2050 Net Zero emission target.

Grangemouth has active rail freight fa- 3Squared achieves Aecom receives cilities, and Leith and Rosyth have rail connections that are rarely used. Methil Cyber Essentials grant to develop lies on the closed Levenmouth branch for accreditation Scottish projects which there is a reopening campaign.

3Squared has been awarded the Cyber Consultant Aecom has won a £150,000 The project will consider the potential for Essentials accreditation. contract to explore rail freight opportu- freight consolidation centres at key loca- nities in southeast Scotland. tions, with the use of rail as a key mode for Cyber Essentials is a mandatory require- movements. It will also consider the ob- ment for any company operating in the The study is being commissioned by the stacles that multi-modal freight terminals UK and bidding for central government South East Scotland transport partnership face in trying to encourage more traffic, contracts that deal with the handling of (SEStran) and Forth Ports, the owner of and assess the feasibility of reinstating/ personal information and the provision of six ports in the area: Grangemouth, Leith, introducing rail freight facilities where ap- certain ICT products and services. Rosyth, Methil, Kirkcaldy and Burntisland. propriate. Reported by Transport Xtra •

15 GUEST ARTICLE

North Sea. Think of this as a gigantic milk round, delivering full Our Friends in the South containers and picking up empties before returning home. North v South is a false debate argues Phil Smart. The North needs F2N.

Transport campaigners in the north often point to a two to one spending disparity per capita between London and the North in the last decade and to the anticipated widening of this gap in the next. But with much talk of ‘levelling up’ and of diverting investment northwards we should caution against using expenditure envy to determine priorities, as many projects built in the south yield their greatest benefits further north.

HS2 is an obvious example. Phase one between London and Route through the North Sea towards Sweden. The blue spot is Birmingham requires major construction in the south, where the Felixstowe. anti HS2 lobby are most vocal. Yet it is the north that enjoys the benefit of improved journey time, which increases as later phas- The principal UK ports on this ‘Far East to Northern Europe’ ship- es are added. Should its cost therefore count as a southern pro- ping rotation are Felixstowe, Southampton and DP World on the ject or northern? Applying geographic labels to rail investment is Thames Estuary. Of these the busiest is Felixstowe which han- misleading, it’s called a network for a reason. dles 42% of the UKs deep sea container business and of this traffic, 70% is for the Midlands and Northern England. Although Besides any geographical bias, whether actual or perceived, ports such as Liverpool and Sunderland lie further north, ship- there is also a bias towards passenger focussed projects. This is ping economics dictate that the deep-sea ports of choice will be understandable in an environment where enhancements are ap- in the south as straight lines save both time and fuel. proved by the treasury and hence by politicians whose approach Felixstowe is steadily increasing the proportion of containers it to railways is shaped by lobbying from their constituents. Freight sends by rail to a growing number of inland distribution centres. does not complain on social media when it is late or forced to Although about 30% of traffic currently goes by rail, this repre- use replacement road transport, yet insufficient network capacity sents around 50% of container miles as rail favours longer dis- makes these a daily occurrence. A successful economy brings tances. The port’s ambition is to double this volume, as traffic together both people and products and the need to move goods sent by rail is already three times more fuel-efficient than road and materials is equally important in generating wealth. and, with electrification could be up to ten times more so. This becomes ever more significant in the light of the climate emergency In the 19th century railways were invented to answer the need as up to one million tonnes of CO2 could be removed from the to move coal and iron ore to feed the industrial revolution which UK road network if we switched this traffic to rail. built the great cities in the north. Today, much of this activity hap- pens overseas, particularly in Asia, and both manufacturers and Moving the blockage further up the pipe distributors rely on importing components and consumer goods Progress so far has, however, been slow due to constraints in via the southern ports of Felixstowe and Southampton. To many the rail network. The opening of the Ipswich freight chord in 2014 people this may seem counter intuitive, surely the North has permitted trains to access the Midlands and north via Ely without ports of its own so why do we need a north/south link for freight? reversal at Ipswich thus increasing the number of freight trains from around 20 per day to 34. The recent provision of a loop at To understand this paradox, we need to appreciate what is hap- Trimley on the single-track line to Felixstowe will see this rise to pening at sea, where the Far East dominates international trade. 45. But of these extra train paths, just four can be taken up until the removal of two major pinch points on the Mid Anglia line, the junctions at Haughley and Ely.

Haughley is a single lead junction with the Great Eastern Main Line (GEML). Doubling therefore is in the interests not only of the Felixstowe to Nuneaton (F2N) freight route, but also the eastern section of East West Rail and the ambition to run regular ‘Nor- wich in 90’ services.

But by far the biggest bottleneck in East Anglia is Ely North Junc- tion which was ‘rationalised’ in 1992 to save maintenance costs. There is growing demand on this junction and in future it will need to accommodate hourly passenger services between Oxford and Norwich/Ipswich, Norwich and Cambridge/Stansted, Stan- sted and Birmingham, Norwich and Nottingham, Cambridge and Wisbech, Ipswich and Peterborough and two per hour between London and Kings Lynn. Up to three freight services an hour in each direction are forecast and these can take longer to clear MSC ‘Isabella’ (23,656 TEU) and ‘Ever Genius’ (20,388 TEU) at the junction due to their 700m length and the fact they are often Felixstowe starting from a stand at Ely.

Economies of scale have increased the size of deep-sea cargo vessels. The newest ships carry upwards of 20,000 TEU (Twen- ty foot Equivalent Units - although most maritime containers are 40-foot long) and call at multiple ports on their route around the Continued over the page. 16 GUEST ARTICLE

The solution is more complex than simply reinstating the former bonising the UK economy. layout. The Prickwillow road runs east-to-west across the Peter- borough, Lynn and Norwich lines intersecting all three at level There is currently no rolling programme of electrification in the crossings where lowering the barriers at one creates a traffic tail- UK as recent schemes have fallen foul of cost over-runs. How- back that can foul the next. Network Rail’s 2015 Anglia Route ever, the electrification cause is gaining ground and Railfuture is Study even suggested building a new line to the south and west calling for its return in response to the climate emergency. of Ely to link the line from Ipswich to the south-east with the Pe- terborough line to the north-west. Railfuture believes a grade What’s in a name? separated solution must be provided to meet both freight and Although F2N has a BCR of around 4:1, both Ely and Haughley passenger growth. junctions are stuck at the ‘decision to develop’ stage (the first of five in the RNEP process) which hardly reflects their national Single line to Soham importance. Besides the considerable problems at North Junction, the line to Ipswich is single track as far as Soham. Various plans to double Neither Felixstowe or Nuneaton are major population centres this section have been mooted since before the second world and so don’t figure in the nations consciousness. But if F2N war and must now be included in the Ely Area Improvements. stood for ‘Far East to Northern Powerhouse’ its role and signifi- Along with junctions at Syston and Wigston (near Leicester) and cance becomes clear. Better still why not badge it as ‘HV1’ (High further doubling of the Felixstowe branch, these works all form Volume 1)? part of the F2N strategic freight route providing a modern, reliable link between Britain’s premier container port and the rest of the country. About the author Since 1983 Phil Smart has served on Ipswich Borough Council, Electrification joint founders of the East West Rail Consortium. In 2000 he drew Electrification is usually advanced in response to passenger pri- up plans for the Ipswich Freight Chord, regarded at the time as orities but its true value lies in the avoided cost of fossil fuel. The ‘undeliverable’. It opened for traffic in 2014. Phil is a member of lines to Kings Lynn and Norwich were electrified for a passenger Railfuture. market of one or two trains per hour each weighing around 600 tonnes and yet the potential for moving three freight trains per The Railfuture article can be found here. • hour, each of about 2,000 tonnes, northwards from Felixstowe must become a national priority if we are serious about decar-

struction sector moving. GBRf and EBP Purchasing Head of Etex Group UK/ The GBRf team are thrilled that our con- IE Paul Brown said: “EBP is proud to be renew deal tract with EBP has been renewed for three working collaboratively with GBRf who years. We strive to always deliver the best again prove to be a truly valued partner GBRf and EBP have renewed their possible service for our customers, and in delivering outstanding service needs to contract for three years from 1 August the continuation of our partnership with our operational facilities. This in turn has 2020 to 31 July 2023, for the transport EBP demonstrates the success of our ensured that EBP is able to deliver on the of gypsum to the plasterboard produc- operations, providing effective rail freight promises to our customers, which will be er’s factory in Ferrybridge. solutions, continually meeting the needs more prevalent given the current market of our customers and surpassing expec- dynamics.” • At present, GBRf is delivering the fifth term tations.” of their contract for EBP. When the initial contract commenced in 2015, the opera- tion was for flow from Cottam and West Burton Power Stations to EBP’s plants in West Yorkshire and Portbury.

The closure of Cottam Power Station and the reduced activity at West Burton resulted in a reduction in contract volume. Despite this, GBRf continued to work with EBP for high quality rail solutions into their operations, providing reliable services and maintaining a strong customer rela- tionship.

The contract renewal which will now run until 2023, will see GBRf continue to provide services to and from Ferrybridge. Managing Director of GBRf John Smith said: “As an industry, rail freight works hard to support the efficient movement of goods for the UK supply chain and GB Railfreight is proud to help to keep this country’s con- 17 OPINION

The modernisation of strategic Anglo-Scottish route corridors is Helping to tackle the two fundamental to unlocking the potential for rail freight to better serve domestic and export markets. Amongst the core upgrades big emergencies needed are lengthened overtaking loops on the East Coast and West Coast Main Lines to accommodate 775-metre freight trains By David Spaven – the equivalent of more than 40 lorry loads in a single movement. Helping freight to move by rail might not seem an obvious part of the country’s response to the Coronavirus emergen- But rail freight cannot prosper simply by concentrating on the An- cy. But Scotland depends on freight trains for key inward glo-Scottish lines. Upgrading key feeder routes within Scotland is supplies and a wide range of exports – and it is reassuring crucial, and some of the obvious targets are: that Transport Scotland is responding positively to the rail • early electrification of the routes from Central Scotland to Ab- freight sector’s call to ensure that the network remains open erdeen and Inverness – speeding up transits, improving route for key freight movements and that freight trains are being capacity and further cutting carbon emissions compared to road prioritised in operational planning. haulage • long-overdue enhancement of the largely single-track Highland To date, some train services have been adversely affected by the Main Line from Perth to Inverness, with longer crossing loops slowdown in global freight, but others – such as those linking su- and more double track allowing rail freight to increase the capac- permarket National Distribution Centres in the West Midlands of ity of each container train from 20 to 28 containers. England with rail hubs in Central Scotland – are seeing increased demand. Improved rail routes are essential, but realising their potential depends in part on the creation of new rail freight terminals to serve As the situation develops, the rail freight sector will do all it can currently neglected regions. Amongst the priorities should be: to provide additional services, and we have identified actions which are urgently needed to ensure continued operations – not • Dundee – one of the largest cities in Britain with no rail freight least ensuring that rail freight staff are placed within the list of facilities (indeed there are none in the whole of Tayside) key workers, accessing emergency school places and childcare, • Speyside – re-opened terminals at Keith and/or Elgin are need- enabling them to continue working. Much-needed measures to ed to allow rail freight to help cut down on the 50,000 long-dis- support the financial viability of the private-sector train operators tance whisky lorry trips on the A9 annually. include: • direct rail access to key whisky industry sites, such as Cameron • temporary changes to the UK and Scottish Governments’ ‘Mode Bridge in Fife (the largest grain distillery in Europe) and Cambus Shift Revenue Support’ scheme to ensure viability of services, in / Blackgrange near Alloa (the largest bonded warehouse site in particular where services are not able to be fully loaded but still Europe) convey vital supplies • Bathgate – serving one of Scotland’s major concentrations of • suspension of Network Rail’s track access charges to enable Regional Distribution Centres, bringing in retail goods from sup- freight operators to quickly respond to customer priorities and pliers worldwide. support critical services which may not be viable in their own right. To realise this low-carbon vision we need to see a coherent and holistic response from Scottish Government in its overall trans- While we all hope that Coronavirus emergency is ‘only’ a short- port response to the climate emergency. And so, in concluding term problem, the ongoing climate emergency demands not just my final Friends of the Scotsman article – I retire from the Rail immediate urgent action, but also a continuing focus over the Freight Group in a few weeks’ time – I make no apologies for re- coming decades if we are to avoid environmental catastrophe. turning to a regular theme. The big symbolic test of the Scottish Government’s commitment to change will be whether it continues There is no doubt that the Scottish Government’s massive to back the £6,000 million+ dualling of the A9 and A96 roads, road-building programme is significantly hampering efforts to linking Inverness with Perth and Aberdeen – or finally admits that switch freight from truck to train, and a major change of direction the parallel, largely single-track, inter-city railways desperately is needed if we are to reap the benefits of rail freight’s substan- need the same single-minded drive to bring them into the 21st tially lower climate impact – cutting CO2 emissions by up to 76 century. • per cent compared to road haulage. So, what are the key rail enhancements required to create a competitive ‘level playing field’ At the time of writing, David Spaven was Scottish Representative between road haulage and rail freight? for the Rail Freight Group.

18 PLANNING UPDATE

Secretary, Grant Shapps, published the report ‘Decarbonis- Planning Update ing Transport: Setting the Challenge’. This document starts the process of the Government’s commitment to publishing a By Elizabeth Dunn, Partner and Transport Decarbonisation Plan 2020 (“TDP”) later this year. Stephen Humphreys, Solicitor, Burges Salmon. The report addresses the urgency of climate change and the UK’s responsibility to take action to address it, including the In this month’s article we look at the impacts that Cov- UK’s legal commitment to achieve net-zero by 2050. It sets id-19 is having on the development industry, provide de- out the important role transport plays in the UK’s economy, tail on the Department for Transport’s recently published but also the impact that transport has on our greenhouse gas decarbonisation aspirations and finally consider some emissions (“GHG”). nationally significant infrastructure project updates. Covid-19 impacts The report presents existing transport modes across the UK and their current GHG emissions, along with existing strate- As with every industry, Covid-19 is causing strain on the whole gies and policies in place to deliver against the Government’s of the development industry, including the planning system current targets and it also summarises the known future ac- and the construction sector. This also includes those carry- tivity. It then goes on to outline the six strategic priorities for ing out surveys and site investigations to support develop- the Government in achieving net-zero in transport by 2050 ment and having to undertake physical visits (e.g. putting up along with the proposed next steps for consulting with rele- site notices) as it is becoming increasingly difficult to follow vant parties in order to deliver a comprehensive TDP. usual protocols whilst complying with the Government’s advice on social distancing and staying at home. The prepara- The report signals good news for the rail freight sector as it tion of proposals for new developments have understandably looks at the need to consider modes globally and the exten- stalled, as have developments currently under construction. sive measures needed to reduce emissions. This includes In recent weeks, the Government have tried to find ways to emissions from road haulage and HGVs, which, when cou- facilitate the transition into a post-Covid world, trying to en- pled with the obvious benefits of rail freight in removing sure the progress of case work for planning projects which HGVs from the roads (HGVs account for 17% of all domes- will allow for the delivery of infrastructure and other major tic transport emissions), could signal more support for rail developments through these tumultuous times; both at the freight in the long run. The report also provides that later this Secretary of State level (appeals and Development Consent year the Government plans to publish a new cross-modal Orders) and the local authority level. freight strategy focusing on the need to decarbonise freight and this could be an excellent opportunity to press home The Planning Inspectorate (“PINS”) is trialling a ‘virtual site the benefits of rail freight over road transport as part of an visits’ pilot scheme which, if successful, will include deter- appropriate modal mix. mining cases, where appropriate, without a formal site visit and using detailed written evidence and digital photographs The report also announces that an external advisory council only. Indeed, the first appeal result which undertook this new (the Net Zero Transport Council (“NZTC”) will be established procedure was issued this week. PINS is also holding their to provide advice and challenge to the Government during first digital pilot case at the end of this month, which is likely the creation of the TDP and afterward with regard to techno- to include audio and video technology to bring all the par- logical and behavioural changes required to attain Net-Zero ties together. There may well be teething issues (particularly by 2050. The NZTC will represent a wide variety of stake- where participation, say from the public, is high) but PINS is holders, including those in the rail sector. doing what it can to keep the wheels turning. These measures look significant but, as the report provides, Local Planning Authorities too have been given new powers this report is to begin a conversation to explore and devel- to hold committee meetings remotely and for members to op the policies needed to decarbonise transport. It remains vote virtually. Other authorities have instigated emergency to be seen what policies come out of this conversation and powers which allow for decision making powers to be del- what measures the Government commits to in order to de- egated to the council’s Chief Executive or Chairperson in liver what look like significant objectives. The TDP was due order to be able to proceed with ongoing matters. These to be published later this year ahead of the COP-26 Confer- changes to the way PINS and local authorities are working ence in Glasgow. However with Covid-19 dominating gov- are important in order to keep case work flowing through the ernment resources and the postponement of the COP-26 planning system and to inject much needed cash into the conference, that deadline could well be extended. economy. NSIP Update On the 31 March the government issued a letter to the con- The latest DCO to be granted, on the 9 April 2020, was for struction industry in England and Wales to inform them that the A585 Windy Harbour to Skippool Improvement Scheme. works could continue on construction sites so long as social This is for a highways development and includes a 5km distancing measures were followed. This strategy has al- stretch of dual carriageway between Windy Harbour Junc- lowed construction workers to return, for example, to HS2 tion to Skippool Junction including four new junctions and sites, following the Notice to Proceed issued by HS2 Ltd on 2 new bridge structures. This DCO decision was delivered Wednesday 15 April so long as workers comply with Pub- on time, which currently bucks the trend as many DCO deci- lic Health England’s guidelines,. However, construction sions are facing delays, mainly for Covid-19 reasons but also projects in Scotland have been advised to close unless it is for other reasons. directly combating the spread of the virus, for example by building hospitals, or contributing to one of a number of key identified industries. Continued over the page.

Decarbonising Transport Report On the 26 March 2020, the Department for Transport 19 RFG News May 2020

The A38 Derby Junction examination is the first examination ever to have been extended and is a scheme that we are advising on. It has, on the face of it, been extended for 5 Contact: months to account for a hearing which could not take place in March because of the introduction of the Government’s social distancing measures and restriction on non-essential travel. The Examiners’ intention is to undertake virtual hear- Elizabeth Dunn, Partner ings in lieu of this missed hearing and the process and pro- [email protected] cedure of these virtual hearings is something which is currently being considered by PINS and the parties taking part Stephen Humphreys, Associate in the examination. As with all virtual meetings and hearings, stephen.humphreys@burges-salmon. it will be interesting to see how the proposals unravel and com how they work in practice. • www.burges-salmon.com

the locomotive and wagons for XPO. Departing from Ballina at New freight service to 11:05hrs, it ran with nine 47’ 6” LX type flat wagons carrying three Waterford Port trialled refrigerated containers. Arrival at Belview Port was at around 18:00hrs, the containers then being offloaded by gantry crane By Tim Casterton and transferred to a ship for onwards transport to Rotterdam.

Waterford Belview Port is one of the few ports in the Repub- If the trial is deemed successful the new freight service is expect- lic of Ireland to have retained full rail access to the quayside, ed to commence later this year. With reducing the carbon foot- however use by rail in recent years has been very limited print high on the agenda, XPO are keen to help their customers with the only service currently loading at the port being a lower their carbon footprint and rail has the potential to deliver up steel rail train once a week. to a 75% reduction in emissions. In addition to lowering the number of trucks on the busy Irish roads, use of rail also alleviates It was therefore very good news for Port of Waterford for XPO, the present shortage of HGV drivers. In 2019. 71.6 million tonne a top ten global logistics company, to operate a trial intermod- kilometres of freight were moved by rail in Ireland. • al service from Ballina, County Mayo to Belview Port. The train ran on Tuesday 10th March, with Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) providing

Multimodal 2020 4-6 November

RFG will be holding its AGM and Autumn Group Meeting during this year’s Multimodal event.

Multimodal 2020 celebrates thirteen years of putting shippers, retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers, importers and ex- porters in front of exhibitors who offer the latest logistics and supply chain solutions. Multimodal is firmly established as the UK, Ireland and Northern Europe’s premier freight transport, logistics and supply chain management event.

Whether you are a 3PL, BCO, shipping line, logistics provider, haulier, pallet network, port or warehouse owner, Multimodal offers a unique opportunity to make valuable face to face contact with new prospects and existing companies. Year on year, shippers and cargo owners attend to improve their businesses; by finding ways of moving their products more efficiently and by meeting new suppliers.

Multimodal represents every logistics sector under one roof, and is characterised by key vertical sectors, including manufacturing, retail, agribusiness, chemical, automotive, electronics, FMCG, food & drink, fashion, pharmaceuticals, construction, aerospace, energy, real estate, recycling, paper/print and perishables, amongst others, whilst horizontally, the show covers all modes of transportation, including sea, road, rail, air and inland waterways.

Please click here to register to attend. WESTMINSTER UPDATE

Devolution as a cradle of disagreement? Political choices The same issue applies for regions of devolved government – where a visible litmus test in pre-virus Scotland looking ahead - will was going to be Brexit (remember that?) and ‘Indyref2’. Post-virus strategies will need to align with Scottish, transport be a litmus Welsh and Irish needs for strong economic recovery, in order to safeguard political support in these economically test? weaker constituent areas. But it could be invidious to apply different social distancing rules to different parts of the By Jonathan Roberts, JR Consulting country, so what else might be nuanced?

Covid-19 has swamped normal political reportage, but Devolved government is a term also highly relevant for Parliament still proceeds on a virtual basis. Labour city regions and their Mayors. The economic lifestyles of has elected a new Leader, Sir Keir Starmer, in place of towns and cities – the dominant economic and population Jeremy Corbyn, and Keir in turn has appointed a new format in Britain with their elected representatives – will Shadow Cabinet (see page 3) which includes several become at odds with the government if the populace and more leadership contenders. their leaders start to believe that economic recovery and reasonable restoration of social lifestyles is being held Looking to the future, the revised Labour team must hope back by over-caution about a virus resurgence. That bal- that they will provide a stronger challenge against the Bo- ancing point isn’t yet, but can be anticipated. ris Johnson government, which secured a large victory in last December’s elections and looks as though it will be If no vaccine yet, what then? holding the reins until 2024. Future national strategy currently struggles to define the impossible and the incompatible in the absence of a vac- Opposition during a national crisis cine. To continue social distancing to a greater or lesser The underlying point of an effective opposition party is extent is the exact opposite of how densely populated to highlight where it believes the nation is being wrongly towns and city regions have functioned and kept econ- guided in strategic policy, in detailed law making, and in omies going – and where facilities are still geared fun- impact on different socio-economic groups and the na- damentally to people working and living alongside each tional economy and environment. other. ‘Agglomeration’ is now almost a sinful word!

We are currently living in a temporary stasis of neo-feu- There is some silver lining in the gloom. Rail freight con- dal society, with much grant and loan-aided support which tinues as a shining light underpinning continuing indus- will need repayment somehow or other adjustment to eco- trial output, while Network Rail is taking the opportunity nomic wealth. Most of us aren’t allowed outside our feudal to undertake more maintenance and route improvements. ‘manor’, and the binding rules for each household’s life New train fleets have more track availability for testing appear to be set by a few remote ‘lords’! and rectification, and retirement of some older fleets has been accelerated. National political differentials? Differences might emerge between parties which could However there is a strategic fear that the virus has done be directly linked to Government handling of the crisis, as much to destroy network economics, with public transport it is still feeling its way on that! In general Labour will be being labelled as the ‘dirty’ means of travel – so a deter- hugely reliant on securing better national recognition of its rent for perception and prioritisation of future travel as well leading team and their commentary and insights, yet the as now. It is self-evident that public transport is uneco- media situation is unfavourable for the party. Britain has nomic and unable to carry the required numbers for towns a national emergency – but not a ‘national government’. and cities to work, if everyone were to need a sanitised 2 metre radius in future. Peak tube loadings were tending This gives immense opportunity for the present Gov- to 5 persons per square metre, and all seats taken and ernment and its ministers to be directly visible in strong standing was normal on commuter peak trains. The bus leadership, newsworthiness and in promoting individual industry looks to grants continuing beyond the immediate departmental policies towards a post-virus world. It wasn’t emergency. the rationale for last December’s election, but Boris now wears an unexpected crown of thorns, and his star is the So from a transport perspective, Labour’s initial oppor- stronger for having personally endured the virus. tunity might be to make the best of Macmillan’s dictum: ‘Events, dear boy, events’. Will Labour choose to agree with the national thrust but disagree on the detail, or identify critical points where the strategy can pivot in one direction or another and define new fault lines with strong political momentum?

Ditto for LibDems, Greens etc. For example, climate Contact: change – at least in practical transport output such as Jonathan Roberts, MD, airline travel – has seen a remarkable outcome in a few JR Consulting weeks, but it comes at the expense of normative social 07545 641 204 priorities, and indeed for the general economic basis of [email protected] western civilisation which is by congregating together www.jrc.org.uk physically in multiple ways and locations, not just elec- tronically.

21 European News May 2020 tive costs of the intermodal rail service and air Davies Turner freight more immediately obvious. News in brief: offers air cargo “At the current rate of just USD0.24 per kilo or • Polish rail freight opera- 2,000 cu cm (with a minimum cost of USD120), tor PKP Cargo is planning pricing to rail it is no surprise that our direct Express China the first container train to Rail service is becoming of great interest to the the Chinese city of Xi’an freight business air freight sector, which is facing sky high air that will be loaded with freight rates out of China, with costs of USD10 food products. It will run Davies Turner has added an air freight pric- to USD15 per kilo now being seen. ing mechanism for its direct, fixed-day, via Russia and, therefore, will be equipped with nec- weekly Express China Rail service from “Importers that traditionally move freight by air Xi’an to the UK, such is the growing interest essary electronic seals. only need to factor in the slightly longer lead PKP Cargo is negotiating in the service from importers and shippers times for delivery by rail, to see what a mas- that have traditionally used air freight. the Polish food producers sive cost saving they can benefit from by using to use this logistics option. our direct rail alternative. Importers that are able From Railfreight.com Tony Cole, head of supply chain services, to remodel their supply chains to use the rail Davies Turner said: “Since we launched the ser- freight option may do so on a permanent basis.” vice in 2016, we have used the standard over- • TX Logistik AG, part of the Italian railway group land freight industry pricing technique, which is Davies Turner says that to date the rail freight USD per cubic metre. Polo Mercitalia (FS Itali- service from China to Europe has been around ane Group), has doubled 70 percent cheaper than air freight. But that “To make pricing more comprehensible for the its rail freight services in price differential has rocketed as air freight rates Sweden for the supermar- air freight sector, we are now additionally quot- reach record levels. • ing per kilo rates, which is the language that ket chain Coop. This ser- air freight importers are more used to dealing vice now runs 20 times per with. It makes a comparison between the rela- week between Bro (Stock- holm) and Malmo.

now, such as a waiver on track access charges • The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars ERFA calls for more and energy charges, rather than waiting until railway has handled the we begin to see rail freight operators begin to 940-metre-long freight rail freight support struggle. Direct State Aid for rail freight under- train. It consisted of 82 takings should only be considered where it re- containers running from The European Rail Freight Association (Erfa) mains compatible with the internal market and Turkey to the Cauca- has written to the European Commission to is directly related to the Covid-19 crisis. The sian and Central Asian urge greater support for the private sector. primary focus is on ensuring support measures states. This shipment set are transparent, fair and open to all”. a new milestone for this In a statement it welcomed the establishment of developing railway corri- ‘Green Lanes, which it says has helped ensure Conor Feighan, ERFA Secretary General, add- dor in Western Asia. The rail freight can continue to move the essential ed: “The possibility of direct grants under the 940-metre-long train ar- goods needed during Covid-19 but said more Temporary Framework is limited. The Tempo- rived in Baku on Tuesday, was needed. rary Framework, although welcomed, should 21 April. 82 containers therefore not be viewed as the sole solution to were loaded with Turk- It said: “The priority of governments needs to be the issues facing rail freight. This is an important ish-made export goods to protect market structures or, where possible, understanding in discussions on how we can dedicated to the cus- continue development towards a more compet- support the sector. Since long lasting and heavy tomers in four countries: itive and balanced one. Any support measures market turbulences are foreseen, we need to Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, must treat private and state-owned operators be looking at solutions outside the scope of the Turkmenistan and Uzbek- equally. Private and state-owned operators Temporary Framework such as sectoral support istan. This freight train must stay in fair competition.” measures.” • was arranged by ADY Container, a subsidiary of Dirk Stahl, ERFA President, said: “What the rail Azerbaijan Railways, in freight industry needs from national government cooperation with its part- is proactivity. We need to see support measures ners from Turkey, Geor- gia and Central Asia. From Railfreight.com

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