ENS cuts to win road freight
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by Lee Kimber • Rail freight carrier English Welsh & Scottish Railway is attempting to cut costs in a long-term bid to win more lowvolume, long-distance freight from road haulage operators.
The US-owned operator, which took over three ex-British Rail freight firms, is targeting agricultural produce, milk and cars as the first markets in an attempt to triple the gross tonne/miles of freight it carries yearly.
Last week it told train drivers they will have to treat Sundays as a normal working day and be prepared to lodge away from home to boost the 90m tonnes of freight it carries each year.
Spokesman Richard Holmes says EW&S wants to cut costs enough to win distribution contracts particularly in the competitive white goods industry.
Contrary to widely held beliefs, high-value, short-distance loads make up much of the 90m tonnes of freight EW&S carried last year. It has already won contracts to move timber out of Scotland. "We haven't moved timber from the highlands for many, many years," he says.
Meanwhile the company faces the possible closure threat over about 40 of its railheads.
EW&S fears it will be unable to develop one-off traffic if it loses the 40—which represent 15% of its total British network.
Rai1track, the sites' owner, says EW&S has 18 months to announce its intention to either use them or quit the leases. However, the sites will still have to be kept for other rail freight users.