A report published by the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) today (June 7), reveals that rail freight brought £1.7 billion of economic benefits to the Britain.
The data was compiled by consultants KPMG using industry statistics. It found that British businesses benefitted by £1.2bn in productivity gains, with an extra £0.5bn generated in other economic benefits.
RDG Chief Executive Paul Plummer said: “Working together, the partnership railway stands ready to do more to increase the benefits that rail freight is delivering for Britain. As we prepare to develop new trading relationships outside the European Union, we can build on the £30bn worth of goods carried by rail freight, connecting more British businesses with new markets via our sea ports around the country.”
The date was published in the report Rail Freight: Working for Britain. It shows that rail freight is working to reduce road congestion, support the delivery of infrastructure, reduce carbon emissions and working to reduce imbalances in regional economies.
It shows that the North West, Yorkshire, Humberside, the West Midlands and Scotland have the highest productivity, and that 87% of benefits are secured outside London and the South East.
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For the FULL story, read RAIL 855, published on June 20, and available digitally on Android/iPad from June 16.
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Alistair James Kewish - 09/07/2018 21:38
I believe I would appreciate being handed a neat report by rail region as to how many freight trains are electrically powered and how many diesel powered. If carbon emissions are to be reduced then electrification must go ahead despite the fudge and obfuscation from politicians who know very little about railways in general and care still less.
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