Rail strike forces freight on to road
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by Ian Wylie • Hauliers are poised to win extra business following warnings that this summer's rail strike could be even more disruptive than last year's.
Surveys since the 1994 strike indicate that up to 20% of companies which switched freight from rail to road during the strike have stayed on the road.
The Freight Transport Association says that this summer's stoppages are once more threatening lasting damage.
While British Rail was able to reschedule some services during the signal operators' strike last summer, rail users are likely to find a protracted train driver strike more difficult to beat. ARC Southern, which moves 40,000 tonnes of aggregates a day, is searching for hauliers to move at least two-thirds of its output on strike days. Last summer's stoppages cost ARC £50,000 in delays and overtime payments—during last Friday's strike ARC drafted in an extra 80 trucks.
"We're expecting the strike to continue for some time, but we are still committed to rail and hope this is just another blip," says ARCs David Weeks.
Other companies are delaying moves to the road until the strike worsens. Rover Cars has switched its shipping days to beat the strike so far, but will review its tactics every week.