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Time to get realistic about rail transport
Page 17
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ONCE AGAIN WE are being harangued by the 'move to rail lobby (Rail freight aims for 20% share of market by 2039'. CM 4 June) and another day has dawned on the pathway to rail freight Nirvana — cynical or realistic? No one disputes that the movement of goods by rail instead of road ticks all the boxes, but sometimes euphoria clouds reality and ambiguity dilutes actuality Moving from 11.5% of goods transported [by rail] to 20% over 30 years represents a 0.2% compound annual growth, not a number that would grab most people's attention or imagination. or spur them into action. Let's look at some of the other claims: "Continue to be the safest form of transport"— both air freight and coastal shipping have better accident per tonne mile ratios.
"Ensure that freight need never go by road because there is nc room on the railways" is valid Sc long as the service-level criteria can be met — retailers work ir hours, not days. And, of course it must be a 24-7 offering. tin proved 'total' journey times ar( what we want.
The point on establishing rai connections from terminals to dis trihution centres is valid, but thr infrastructure at each end musi have overall capacity capabilitiei at average and peak operatirq times. It must be simple, flexiblr and affordable.
Let's be honest with ourselve; and set out to achieve a number o worthwhile step changes over tin next 10 years. You never know we might achieve three workablr step changes in 30 years and pas; on a worthwhile legacy, not .1. pile of failed aspirations and flawer objectives.
Peter Jeffery CEO Logistics Support Services
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