Unblocking Channel Tunnel could deliver faster future for UK rail freight

The tunnel provides a significant link between Great Britain and Europe, enabling the logistics industry to transport goods and services internationally via rail.   

However, rail freight arriving from Europe is facing limited opportunities for onwards travel due to most of the rail network between Folkstone and London – which has not been updated since the early 1990s – being unable to accommodate standard European freight containers and wagons across its tunnels, bridges and station platforms.   

INFRASTRUCTURE MODIFICATIONS 

“Major issues that are currently hindering rail freight levels are loading gauges, restricted access to HS1, wagon availability and terminal capacity,” says Ellis Shelton, Policy Advisor at Logistics UK.  

“Network Rail has set out a proposal to overcome this barrier by adapting the line from Folkstone, via Ashford and Maidstone in Kent, to Wembley in North London.  

“To do this, modifications need to be made to the current infrastructure including a mixture of track lowering, minor alterations to various structures and imposing speed restrictions in certain areas. 

“Light track works will also be required to achieve the correct track gauge clearance of W9a, to enable overseas exchangeable freight containers to pass through.  

“Once the cargo has arrived in Wembley, there is a clear route to access the rest of the country as most of the railway network beyond London already holds sufficient clearance – modified rail lines in the UK can accommodate shipping containers dispatched across the globe, including North America, arriving at ports such as Southampton and Felixstowe.”  

HIGH SPEED 1 = HIGH SPEED COSTS 

Presently, freight trains from across Europe can only reach London via Folkstone by using High Speed 1 (HS1), as it has the necessary gauge to accommodate them. However, there are weight restrictions and extremely high transit fees involved, meaning that only one freight train a day on HS1 is used.   

As a result, cargo is often either transported via the Thames Estuary – at a greater cost than rail – or offloaded from trains onto HGVs and delivered via road.  

“This process is not only time consuming and costly due to unstable fuel rates, but also impractical as a large proportion of the cargo will be bulk materials in high volumes, unsuitable for both vans and HGVs,” continues Shelton.  

“Road freight operators will need to travel through congested urban areas, and therefore miss the through tunnel rail opportunity.  

“By modifying the current railway, including reconfiguring platforms and tunnels, it will allow for these freight containers to travel direct to their destination and encourage further modal shift to rail.   

COUNTLESS BENEFITS 

Network Rail’s plan is estimated to cost £10 million but could provide countless benefits for the logistics sector.  

Upgrading the country’s railway network will increase rail capacity and allow for higher train frequency and larger freight volumes to be transported between the UK and Europe.  

By supporting bigger load units on UK rail with minimal intervention, international cargo from across Europe can travel without limitations, creating more trade, business and job opportunities.  

In addition, more efficient railways provide the resources necessary to achieve economic growth by stimulating cross-border trade and industrial activity.  

“A modernised rail network will present to logistics businesses a more affordable, environmentally friendly alternative for transporting their goods and services,” says Shelton.  

“Unlocking freight capacity through the Channel Tunnel will enable rail freight to remain competitive and efficient, alongside providing benefits that will bring economic value for the whole UK economy.”   

IMPROVED DECARBONISATION 

In addition to reducing costs, improved rail freight services will help to decarbonise the sector by removing 20,000 HGV journeys from the UK’s roads every week, as estimated by The Times in July 2023. 

This has the potential to draw further trade into the economy by attracting eco-conscious shippers who are looking to attain a low-carbon footprint.  

Given the impending net zero deadline, increasing congestion on the road network in and around Kent in no way feels forward thinking, whereas reducing pressure on Short Straits ports and the road network through modal shift certainly does: switching from road to rail would reduce transit times and contribute towards business efficiency as ‘just in time’ deliveries can be maximised.    

“The Short Straits are a vital, but fragile trade route,” says Shelton. “During peak times, a contraflow system known as ‘Operation Brock’ is implemented, with the aim of reducing congestion across Kent and managing the freight flows to the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel.  

“However, this is not a practical solution and will not be a long-term answer for the logistics industry as it is estimated to cost the economy up to £250 million a day.  

“These figures highlight the increasing need for rail freight to be utilised between Folkestone and London, and Logistics UK is urging government to push forward with Network Rail’s proposal.”    

SHORT STRAITS = BIG DEAL 

The Dover to Calais route by sea across the English Channel accounts for two-thirds of trade between Britain and Europe, with several thousand lorries crossing on ferries each day.  

However, during the first quarter of 2022/23 international movements for rail freight accounted for just 1.6% of freight moved via the Channel Tunnel. This represents a decline of 1.9% when compared to the previous quarter and further suggests that unlocking the Channel Tunnel for rail freight is vital to the future of freight in the UK.   

“Unblocking the Channel Tunnel has the potential to transform the rail freight industry through streamlined operations and reduced costs,” concludes Shelton.  

“Logistics UK recognises that there will be challenges facing the sector for implementing these modifications, and coordination amongst stakeholders will be vital to improve the market for Channel Tunnel rail freight.”  

Logistics UK will continue to communicate with its members and government to ensure all opportunities are maximised.  

Published On: 19/10/2023 14:30:00

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