UK logistics sector seeks rail development from next government

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in the UK, CILT(UK), has an eye on the forthcoming General Election. Even though the date has not yet been set, the industry body is seeking to influence the manifesto’s direction. They do so regardless of who may take power in the coming year. Three of six manifesto…

Freight targets are a floor for growth and not a ceiling, says UK report

A parliamentary launch for Rail Partners’ report ‘Freight Britain: An engine for green growth’. The document was formally introduced at the Partners’ annual reception event on the Thames-side terrace of the Houses of Parliament. The invited guests, media, and rail customers were in the company of representatives from across the political spectrum. With an election…

Network Rail’s Easter heavy metal message

Network Rail says the Easter programme of works on the UK rail network should be music to the ears of freight operators. It is delivering around ninety million pounds (105 million euros) of enhancement works over the Easter weekend. The British infrastructure agency says that freight will benefit from the programme of works, at least…

UK Freight philanthropy: popular charity events return

British freight operators have a noble history of charity support. So it is with no small fanfare that Direct Rail Services has announced the return of its highly popular charity open day. The freight carrier is preparing to welcome a huge crowd of visitors to its Carlisle headquarters on Saturday, 6 July. Proceeds from expected…

Southampton rail freight investment recognised by minister

The Port of Southampton continues to grow its rail freight operations and capacity. Last week, the UK Minister for Rail and HS2, Huw Merriman, visited the south coast of England port. He officially opened the new Solent Rail Terminal, marking the completion of a 17.5 million pound (20.5 million euros) partnership investment between Associated British…

Intermodal rail freight on high tide at port of Felixstowe

The Port of Felixstowe continues to celebrate significant growth in rail market share. The East Coast port has reinforced its position as the UK’s leading intermodal rail facility. It has just come off a record month for rail freight movements. The figures show that there is still an appetite for increasing the rail freight share…

North of England freight route rebuild will heavily impact road traffic

Network Rail, the national infrastructure agency for Great Britain, plans to replace the Castleton Bridge this Autumn. That is earlier than usual notice, but this engineering work in the northwest of England could be a huge imposition on the transport infrastructure of the entire region. Network Rail is investing more than twenty million pounds (over…

UK Government grants are vital support for rail freight development

Governments in London, Cardiff, and Edinburgh should strengthen financial backing for rail amid ambitious growth targets and economic challenges. In response to the UK Department of Transport’s (DfT) ongoing review of mode shift grants, Rail Partners, an industry-wide advocacy group, has underscored the crucial role of government support in driving the growth of rail freight…

UK Government grants are vital support for rail freight development

Governments in London, Cardiff, and Edinburgh should strengthen financial backing for rail amid ambitious growth targets and economic challenges. In response to the UK Department of Transport’s (DfT) ongoing review of mode shift grants, Rail Partners, an industry-wide advocacy group, has underscored the crucial role of government support in driving the growth of rail freight…