Freight
Is there a future for freight on rail?
Kenneth Russell outlines the GB Freight Route - the proposal for a freight preference route at a larger gauge that will drive economic growth and connect us to the heart of the European freight network
T
he majority of freight traffic in Britain today, both on long haul internal and between Britain and the continent, is carried mainly on lorry trailers via short sea routes - or the Channel Tunnel shuttle - not through rail and containers. There are 6,700,000 units per annum crossing the channel, 20 per cent is by container, 80 per cent by trailer (24 per cent unaccompanied and 56 per cent accompanied).
Britain’s European neighbours, by contrast, are able to carry lorry trailers on their rail networks as they have been built to a larger loading gauge than that in Great Britain. Network Rail and British Rail before it has altered structures to make it possible to move larger container sizes but has only achieved this capability on a limited number of routes which are already heavily used by passenger traffic. None of the existing rail routes in Britain except HS1 are cleared for lorry trailers and standard European rail wagons.
A preferential freight route We are suggesting a preferential route at a larger loading gauge, titled the GB Freight Route (GBFR). This would require very little new route, making use instead of under-utilised and disused railway corridors that can be reinstated or enhanced without adversely affecting the operation of the existing rail network. The cost of doing this is considerably less than building a new railway across virgin land as is required for the proposed HS2 route.
The scheme would be connected to the road network close to motorway junctions. It is intended that the route would become an integral part of the national rail network and would be used by operators on an open access basis. The route could be built in stages, allowing operation to start once the first section was built.
A trial and proof of concept was undertaken in May 2012 - the first train loaded with Lorry Trailers @ P/C400 gauge (four metre high trailer) was moved
from continental Europe (Antwerp) to Barking via the Channel Tunnel and HS1. GBFR has been working with many interested parties and has gained much support from road hauliers and the customer base. Most recently, the logistics department within the major supermarkets have shown interest in the possibility of being able to move much more of their goods by rail in an uninterrupted manner within mainland Britain as well as to and from continental European destinations.
Why is GB Freight Route needed? As mentioned, Britain’s railways, built largely in the 19th Century, were constructed to a smaller loading gauge than on the continent. Some have suggested that the gauge of existing routes could be enlarged, but that is not possible without completely rebuilding them. The cost of replacing the very many low bridges, tunnels and overhead line electrification systems would be prohibitive.
In addition, much of the West Coast Main Line, Midland Main Line and East Coast Main Line are now operating close to capacity during parts of the day. MDS Transmodal, transport consultant
December 2013 Page 87
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