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Rail freight 'is not' stifled by EuroTunnel. usage rules
Page 8
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christopher.waltonfarbi.co.uk EUROTUNNEL, the operator of the Channel Tunnel, has defended itself against accusations that rules governing the tunnel's use have stilled the growth of European rail freight.
It emerged last week that 1.18 million tonnes of freight was moved through the tunnel by rail in 2009 — this is a fall of 5% compared with 2008.
DB Schenker Rail had blamed high tolls and complex rules governing the tunnel's use for a lack of tonnage growth in rail freight. However, a EuroTunnel spokesman says it is "the responsibility of rail freight operators going through the tunnel" to increase their freight market share.
Under current rules covering the usage of the tunnel,EuroTunnel has to split crossings 50:50 between shuttle services and rail crossings.
These crossings are then split by 50% again between Eurostar services and rail freight for rail crossings, and between road freight and road users for shuttle services.
The spokesman adds that EuroTunnel's purchase of rail freight operator Veolia Cargo in September last year was part of its "commitment to see the rail freight business grow in order to see the tunnel being used fully".
In comparison, truck volumes on the shuttle fell sharply between 2008 and 2009 from 125 million trucks to 769,261 — a drop of 39%. It says the business was doubly affected by the repercussions of the fire in September 2008 and by the overall reduction in economic activity.
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