Railtrack plc

Railtrack to target freight for new growth
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date 20 February 1997
source Railtrack plc
type Press release

note (figures illegible in originating copy)

Railtrack is redirecting its investment and management resources to support a period of sustained growth in the rail freight industry.

Its Network Management Statement, published today, details plans to spend ?million a day on the infrastructure and illustrates how the company is developing to meet the new opportunities for rail freight.

After many years of decline, rail freight industry is set for growth in new markets. The industry is moving away from its traditional role focusing on hauling bulk materials and has demonstrated that it can compete directly with road in terms of cost and performance.

New services have been developed on a 'just-in-time' basis for the automotive industry between factories, for consumer products from factory to warehouse and to meet the requirements of customers such as the Royal Mail who have the highest standards of operating performance of any operator on Railtrack's network.

These developments mean more freight terminals are needed, together with investment to promote faster and more reliable services. Railtrack has improved its service to rail freight operators by reducing operating delays for which it is responsible by up to 50 per cent. The company is also redirecting its investment and management resources to meet the new market opportunities. The Network Management Statement has confirmed plans to:

o invest over ?million a day for the next ten years in Britain's railway infrastructure - much of which will benefit the renaissance in rail freight
o continue the expansion of the Railnet scheme for Royal Mail with investment by Railtrack of ? million in a dedicated network of terminals
o develop at least a further 30 freight sites at a cost of ? million over the next three years
o invest in infrastructure to expand the operation of the new Class 92 freight locomotives for the Channel Tunnel
o work with the Piggyback Consortium on a major project to develop a new large capacity freight route from the Channel Tunnel to Scotland.

Railtrack has recently spent over ?0,000 on a feasibility study for this important project which could see the development of up to 30 new freight trains a day, eliminating over 275,000 long distance lorry journeys from Britain's motorways.

These plans build on the recent progress made by Railtrack in promoting rail freight. In the past two years the company has reduced its freight operating costs while increasing volume.

Railhub Archive ::: 1997-02-20 RTK-004