'The increasing use of road transport is triggering a backlash'
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More freight must go by rail to combat traffic congestion and maintain delivery schedules, says Red Star Parcels managing director John Holmes.
F2) ritain must make more use of its rail network if UK companies are to seize commercial advantage along with the environmental benefits of reducing congestion.
The increasing use of road transport has reached a point where it is triggering a backlash—not only from the environmental lobby, but also from customers increasingly concerned that their efficiency and service levels will be eroded as Britain is brought to a grinding halt by the increasing volume of traffic on our roads.
The UK transport industry should act before it is forced to by environmental and legislative pressures. Rail cannot be the be-all and end-all, but it must be used to contribute more. And the answer is a combination of road and rail.
Rail transport has previously been overshadowed by its road transport competitor, but it knows it has to modernise and match the progress of its Continental counterparts. Also it has to become more flexible and focused on customer service, which means removing some of the old barriers and constraints.
The industry is now far more commercially aware. It is breaking down into smaller elements: smaller franchises with their own agendas which are more commercially geared toward the customer and providing solutions. The willingness and expertise is there in the rail network; we just need to tap it. It is a case of companies putting their toe in the water and trying the temperature of the service. The Government also needs to say it is looking at the rail option, by making it more user-friendly. But rail also has its problems to overcome. Investment is needed in infrastructure to get goods From factories to railfreight yards. If rail can prove it can provide the flexibility and access to meet transport's needs, it becomes a viable alternative to road transport. Building more roads to combat congestion is not the answer when spare capacity already exists on rail. The fact that most of rail's business is the movement of passengers during the day means that rail is redundant for most of the night. This offers a tremendous opportunity to move freight late at night or in the early morning. Also, it amazes me that you can drive along any motorway late at night or in the early morning and it is relatively free of traffic.
Greater use of rail and road through the night will certainly help to reduce traffic congestion in the clay. In choosing road and rail as an alternative to dedicated road-based express delivery, you are taking a positive step in supporting the environmental lobby and using a faster and more cost-effective delivery service.
• If you want to sound off about a road transport issue write to features editor Patric Cunnane or fax your views (up to 600 words) on 0181 652 8912 or to Nicky Clarke on 01342 850215.