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Supermarkets in Scotland to consider distribution by rail
Page 18
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Rail freight could be about to get a boost in the north of Scotland following comments from two supermarkets. David Harris reports.
RETAILERSTesco and Morrison are to consider using rail to supply their stores in the north of Scotland.The issue was recently raised in the Scottish Parliament by MSP Maureen Macmillan, a Labour member who represents the Highlands and Islands. She was concerned when Morrison abandoned an established rail-freight delivery service to Inverness in favour of trucks after the rail service was downgraded from daily to weekly.
The service was originally run by Safeway to serve its shops in the North. However, following its takeover by Morrisons and the subsequent sale of several Highland stores, the service was cut due to a fall in volumes.
Now Morrison will consider returning to rail if it became a daily service again, and Tesco has also indicated to Macmillan that it is committed to considering alternatives to road haulage.
Most supermarket distribution centres for Scotland are in the central belt,which means that if goods travel by truck to Inverness they travel up the notoriously slow A9.
Talks are progressing with a "large Scottish haulier" to support a rail service by taking goods to and from the railheads; Macmillan says Morrison and Tesco -genuinely wish to use rail transport".
She adds: "I will do all in my power to facilitate the switch to rail freight for supplying supermarkets in the north of Scotland."