đź•’ Article read time: 2 minutes
UK rail freight movements up 7% year on year
The Office for Rail and Road (ORR) has reported that the quantity of freight moved by rail increased by 7% year on year in the quarter April-June 2024.
Ellis Shelton, Senior Policy Advisor at Logistics UK said: "This increase is a demonstration of the key role that rail can play in driving growth and increased productivity across the economy.
“As economic activity – particularly construction and manufacturing – starts to recover after the economic impact of the pandemic, rail freight’s ability to deliver large, heavy commodities on time will become increasingly valuable and will ensure that the country’s businesses can have access to the materials they need without having a significant impact on the environment.
"The reliability of the sector, which saw cancellations and lateness at their lowest level for three years for the April-June period, will also ensure that other sectors of the economy can be certain of receiving deliveries on time, vital if delays and rising costs are to be prevented across other parts of the supply chain.
"Logistics UK hopes that more businesses across the economy will recognise the value that using rail can bring to keep the country moving in order to generate growth for all.”
Published On: 26/09/2024 11:16:17
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News In Brief
Drones to fly NHS blood samples across London
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust has launched a pilot scheme that intends to drastically speed up the time taken to move blood from major hospitals in the capital to labs for analysis.
The drone flights will mean the samples can be transported in a fraction of the time it currently takes couriers via road. The drones will not only avoid traffic but will also reduce emissions.
Current transfers between Guy's Hospital and the lab at St Thomas' Hospital can take over 30 minutes. The same journey by drone can be done in less than two minutes by drone, officials said.
Cutting delivery times from over 30 minutes to under two, this initiative showcases the immense potential of drone technology to revolutionise the way critical goods are moved, not only improving efficiency but also reducing the environmental impact.
Ellis Shelton, Senior Policy Advisor at Logistics UK said: "As this pilot progresses, it could pave the way for widespread adoption of drones in logistics, creating faster, more sustainable supply chains that could benefit industries well beyond healthcare."
The new project will last six months and is expected to start this autumn. It will involve the blood samples of patients undergoing surgery who are at high risk of complications from bleeding disorders.
The move could also pave the way for other types of drone deliveries between the trust's hospitals and others in the capital.
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