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Unlock capacity for rail freight to meet net zero emissions, says Logistics UK
Logistics UK is urging the government to unlock capacity for rail freight services to help meet the target of a net zero emission economy by 2050.
Responding to the publication last week (28 April 2021) of the Rail Delivery Group’s (RDG) Value of Rail Freight report, the business group argues that rail freight can play a pivotal role in helping the UK achieve its decarbonisation targets, by removing an estimated seven million lorries off the roads. Currently rail freight capacity, however, is severely constrained.
“Logistics UK is urging the government to heed the report findings – which revealed that freight services on some underutilised off-peak passenger routes deliver greater economic value than passenger use – and allow freight operators access to these lines,” said Zoe McLernon, Multimodal Policy Manager at Logistics UK.
“Logistics UK is also urging the government to commit to electrifying the UK’s railways,” she continued, “with RDG’s report showing that on delivery of a decarbonisation strategy and the potential growth in domestic movements, the environmental benefits of rail use over road could increase by six to ten-fold.”
Zoe McLernon is taking part in a live online event tomorrow (7 May 2021) – RailFreight Live's UK Special – to discuss the findings of RDG’s Value of Rail Freight report. It will go out live on RailFreight's YouTube channel at 12pm and will be available afterwards.
*www.logistics.org.uk/rail
Published On: 06/05/2021 17:00:35
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