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Freightliner hauls record volume of aggregate for Mendip Rail
Logistics UK member Freightliner and its customer Mendip Rail together passed a key milestone in March 2021.
Freightliner hauled the single largest volume of aggregate in Mendip Rail’s history at 796kt, running an average 120 trains per week and easily surpassing its previous record of 761kt set by Freightliner in March 2020.
SUPPLYING MAJOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
Since Freightliner’s contract with Mendip Rail began 18 months ago, it has continued to haul significant volumes of aggregate from quarries in the Mendips, Northern Somerset, to terminals in London and the south east of England for use in key construction projects, including HS2, housing and road improvements.
SUSTAINABILITY FOCUS
The Freightliner/Mendip partnership has not only trialled the longest and heaviest (4,000 tonne) train on the UK network with a single locomotive using 100% sustainable fuel, but has also recently achieved the internationally recognised ISO14001 Environmental Management Systems standard at Freightliner’s Vehicle Maintenance Facility in Merehead.
LEADING THE CHARGE FOR LOW-CARBON LOGISTICS
Freightliner is a subsidiary of Genesee & Woyoming Inc. (G&W). Eddie Ashton, CEO for G&W UK/Europe Regions companies, said: “Rail freight already plays a leading role in the low-carbon logistics sector, with each freight train producing 76% fewer carbon emissions per tonne move compared to road. Moving increased volumes by rail will go a long way towards meeting government decarbonisation targets, and the added ISO14001 accreditation means that we will continually challenge ourselves to ensure we maintain the ISO Environmental Management Systems standards, reducing our impact on the environment even further.”
THE GROWING IMPORTANCE OF RAIL FREIGHT
“The achievement of another monthly record is a reflection on the strong demand in the construction sector and the increasing importance rail freight plays in supplying a broad range of construction projects,” said Jason Black, Director Mendip Rail Limited, “Records are not set by themselves and Mendip Rail would like to thank Freightliner and our other supply chain partners in making it happen.”
“At Mendip Rail, we were delighted to have been asked to take part in the 100% sustainable fuel trial,” he continued, “Not only did the trial record significant carbon reductions but also particulate emission reductions, which is a particularly important air quality measure in urban areas.”
LOGISTICS UK ENDORSES FREIGHTLINER’S APPROACH
Zoe McLernon, Multimodal Policy Manager, Logistics UK, said: “We congratulate Freightliner and Mendip Rail on passing this impressive milestone, which illustrates the huge potential for low-carbon logistics via rail freight. Rail freight has an important role to play in helping to decarbonise logistics, which is why we recently signed an open letter to the Transport Secretary to call for a programme of rail electrification as soon as possible.”
*www.logistics.org.uk/rail
Published On: 06/05/2021 17:00:29
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