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FTA says rail-freight rate
Page 8
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cut will not hurt haulage
• Road hauliers are unlikely to see large numbers of customers moving to rail freight despite the halving of freight track access charges by the Rail Regulator, The Freight Transport Association says the reliability of the country's rail system and its infrastructure must be vastly improved before it becomes feasible for customers to switch to rail.
"The reduction, which we welcome, means that rail freight is in a better position to pick up new business," says FTA manager of rail freight policy, Sarah Watkins. "However, further investment is needed and we will continue to push the government to improve reliability and infrastructure."
Darren Jeavons, managing director of Birmingham haulier Jeavons Transport, which hauls goods to and from the international rail freight terminal at Hams Hall, agrees. He describes the pro
sent rail freight structure as "absolute chaos'.
"The reduction in charges won't change the amount of rail freight moved," he adds. "There are too many delays in the system, it is too congested and there is too much damage to equipment-96% of our customers refuse to consider using rail freight for these reasons. Without massive investment they will continue to refuse."
Despite this criticism, the office of the Rail Regulator believes the reduction will "provide the catalyst that rail freight needs for a true renaissance". It came to its decision after taking into account increased competitive pressures from the road haulage industry after "recent decisions on 44-tonne lorries and vehicle fuel duty".
• The chairman of the Strategic Rail Authority, Sir Alistair Morton, is expected to leave his position this December.