1995-12-09 Wisconsin next stop for Rail Express Systems (Department of Transport)

1995-12-06 Sir George Young welcomes real benefits of new rail era (Department of Transport)

1995-12-05 Telecom sale rings up another rail privatisation success (Department of Transport)

1995-12-04 “Rail sale signals success of privatisation” – Watts (Department of Transport)

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date 13 December 1995
source Department of Transport
type Press release

note 421

The rail freight revolution continued today when Mainline Freight –
one of BR's soon to be privatised Trainload Freight companies – was
offered the first 100% track access grant by Transport Secretary, Sir
George Young.

Announcing the offer of the grant, which will save 20,000 lorry
journeys a year through London, Kent and Suffolk, at the Railfreight
Group Christmas lunch, Sir George Young said:

"We are determined to get more freight on the railways, and I am
delighted to announce today's offer of a 100 per cent track access
grant to Mainline Freight.

"The rail freight revolution is shifting into high gear. Last weekend
saw the sale of Rail Express Systems, and at the beginning of the
month National Power began to run their own trains - clear evidence
of the private sector's commitment to the railways."

In addition to National Power, Direct Rail Services are expected to
start operating trains in the next few days.

With the privatisation of BR's freight businesses now well underway,
Sir George Young revealed that a study had begun to assess the
options for the privatisations of BR's Channel Tunnel freight
business.

Sir George Young said:

"Public opinion is now shifting firmly in favour of safer, cleaner,
less intrusive freight transport. I firmly believe that getting the
rail freight business into the private sector will get more lorries
off the road. That will be good news for the railway industry, and
the environment."

Notes to editors

1. The 100 per cent track access grant offered to Mainline Freight is
for the steel scrap which goes from Willesden and Snailwell on behalf
of Co Steel Sheerness Ltd.

2. Under the Government's Freight Grants Scheme, grants are available
towards Railtrack's charges for access to the railway network. This
offer of grant assistance is made under the provisions of section 137
of the railways Act 1993.

3. BR's Trainload Freight business was split into three
geographically based divisions in April 1994. The three companies -
Loadhaul Ltd (North-East), Mainline Freight Ltd (South- East) and
Transrail Freight Ltd (West and Scotland) - were vested on 1 April
1995.

Railhub Archive ::: 1995-12-13 DoT-001