Congestion to boost rail use
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by Guy Sheppard • Rail freight is poised for a surge in popularity in the face of worsening road congestion, according to the Freight Transport Association.
The FTA's latest quarterly survey of transport activity among 600 members found that nearly one in two expect to make more use of rail for bulk services.
A spokesman says this is partly a reflection of improving services but adds: "It is also a reflection of how bad road transport is becoming. We are not yet at the stage where rail is more efficient than road but companies are testing the water and finding out what is there."
A spokesman for the English Welsh & Scottish Railway, which accounts for 95% of rail freight services, says; "We are getting into new markets such as food and mineral water but it is too early to talk about increased traffic because we have only been running since October."
The FTA survey found that 45% of respondents are experiencing worsening road congestion since this time last year while only 3% reported that congestion was easing. All regions, except the North have experienced an increase in road freight activity this year.
The FTA is calling on the new Government to increase funding for road maintenance, junction improvements, bypasses and motorway and trunk road widening.
Our members realise the days of large-scale road building is behind us," says the spokesman.