Skip to main content

Latest annual rail freight figures show the future for rail freight, say campaigners

The latest annual Office of Rail and Road (ORR) rail freight statistics show consistent expansion in the key consumer and construction rail freight markets with record levels of traffic, according to the Campaign for Better Transport, demonstrating the potential and demand for rail freight services. This year has been a period of transition for the industry as it adjusts to the deep decline in coal traffic.
June 9, 2017 Read time: 2 mins

The latest annual Office of Rail and Road (ORR) rail freight statistics show consistent expansion in the key consumer and construction rail freight markets with record levels of traffic, according to the Campaign for Better Transport, demonstrating the potential and demand for rail freight services. This year has been a period of transition for the industry as it adjusts to the deep decline in coal traffic.
 
Construction traffic increased by seven per cent and consumer traffic by six per cent in 20016/7, increasing each quarter, compared to the previous year. The final quarter figures show 9 per cent consumer and 11 per cent construction traffic increases compared to the same quarter in the previous year.
 
Philippa Edmunds, freight on rail manager, Campaign for Better Transport, said: “Rail freight is the safer, cleaner way to transport freight which reduces road congestion and improves productivity; furthermore, it can help the Government meet its challenging targets to reduce air pollution as it produces 90 per cent less PM10 particulates and up to 15 times less nitrogen dioxide emissions than HGVs for the equivalent journey.”
 
She added: “Given these socio-economic benefits, the Government must set affordable charges in its current ORR review and continue to upgrade the rail freight network to cater for the suppressed demand for consumer and bulk services.”

Related Content

  • July 31, 2020
    Covid-19 cleared the air: ITS can keep it clean
    Covid-19 has created cleaner air: ITS can help keep it that way – but it’s not going to be straightforward, as Graham Anderson discovers
  • August 19, 2015
    Costing transit is complicated case
    David Crawford welcomes fresh thinking from Canada. Public transit improvements can bring society “significantly more value” than conventional transport models normally indicate, argues Canadian researcher Todd Litman. “Traditional evaluation practices originally developed to assess roadway improvements, and focus primarily on vehicle travel speeds and operating costs. “They do not generally quantify or monetise basic mobility benefits, vehicle ownership and parking cost savings, or efficient land developme
  • May 8, 2017
    UK government publishes new air quality plan for consultation
    The UK government has published a draft plan to improve air quality by reducing nitrogen dioxide levels in the country. The options now open for consultation on reducing nitrogen dioxide in our towns and cities are designed to reduce the impact of diesel vehicles, and accelerate the move to cleaner transport. Local authorities are already responsible for improving air quality in their area, but will now be expected to develop new and creative solutions to reduce emissions as quickly as possible, while avoid
  • April 8, 2022
    ULEZ money 'less than expected': TfL
    Cash from expanded zone is lower than forecast 'due to higher compliance' from drivers