• by Karen Mlles The uncertainty surrounding the fledgling rail
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freight sector looks set to continue foltowing RaiItrack's expected failure this week to make a decision on future development.
Today's 125 March) publication of RaiItrack's annual Network Management Statement is not expected to present a decision on the long-running question of which type of combined road and rail system to develop.
Instead it will put forward a menu of options it could pursue, coupled with the levels of public subsidies required to develop each one. The rail sig nalling and track provider's most important policy document of the year will restate its preference for the relatively cheap system of raising tunnels for 9ft 6in deep-sea containers on Euro-sized rail wagons over the more extensive tunnel work required for carrying standard, 4m high piggyback semi-trailers on standard wagons.
The document will drag the Government into the public debate but leave large numbers of hauliers and potential rail freight users frustrated again about which types of rail and road equipment to invest in.
Deputy prime minister John Prescott has said he wants to revitalise rail freight and that he backs the piggyback scheme. However, he has made no public move to hurry Railtrack into a decision. The Piggyback Consortium is trying to persuade Railtrack to prepare tunnels and track for its 4m semi-trailer scheme so that up to 400,000 lorry movements a year could be attracted onto rail.
It is considering taking Railtrack to the Rail Regulator, arguing that it is failing in its duty to encourage rail freight.