Railways must compete
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RAIL FREIGHT will only gain business where the service and price are right, Freight Transport Association board member Ian Dallison said this week.
Speaking at an FTA meeting in Derbyshire, Mr Dallison, who is British Steel's transport manager, said it is vital that the flexible rostering dispute between British Rail and the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen be solved quickly.
Users could only be convinced that rail is a viable option if productivity is improved, he said, and that demands an end to the "very severe over-manning" of freight trains.
Mr Dallison said that industries which are committed heavily to rail cannot be expected to continue footing the bill for inefficient working practices, and it is paramount that services like Speedlink and Freightliner, which are in direct competition with road haulage, be improved.
"Very considerable damage has already been done, scirne of it irreparable, but all is not lost," Mr Dallison added.