Truck and Track Autumn 2021

Truck and Track Autumn 2021 www.truckandtrack.com 74 RAILFREIGHT Rail Minister, Chris Heaton-Harris MP, officially opened the new GB Railfreight (GBRf) Peterborough headquarters, marking a major long-term investment into the local area by the leading UK rail freight company. The new £3 million building houses GBRf’s traincrew and office staff including its 24-hour control centre, training and operations departments, as well as the asset management team. GBRf will look to become the industry’s leading training provider for those embarking on a promising career in rail freight. The building plays host to three new purpose-built classrooms and state-of-the-art simulators which will be used to develop future generations of talent from the local area and beyond. This year alone, 120 people are expected to use the facility and develop skills to qualify for a variety of roles from trainee train drivers to apprenticeships. Sustainability and wellbeing are central to the new headquarters, with features such as solar panels, electric vehicle charging points and cycle racks as well as a catering hub and new shower facilities for its around the clock staff. This reinforces GBRf’s commitment to sustainability and investing in its workforce. John Smith, Managing Director of GB Railfreight, said: “The new Peterborough headquarters is one of GBRf’s single largest investments to date and builds on our ever-growing presence in the local community and commitment to regional development. As we build towards a brighter future, we want to foster the next generation of rail freight talent and our new headquarters will help us achieve this aim.” Chris Heaton-Harris MP, Rail Minister, said: “It is a pleasure to open the brand-new GB Railfreight headquarters, which will provide future generations with the essential skills and knowledge for a successful career in rail freight. “Our rail freight sector has kept our country and economy moving through the pandemic, and we will continue to support the growth of this key industry, particularly as we look to decarbonise transport and deliver net-zero by 2050.” GB Railfreight’s regional investment continues with new Peterborough HQ John Smith, CEO of GB Railfreight and Chris Heaton-Harris MP, Minister of State for Transport Eurotunnel won the Best Innovation Award for its Eurotunnel Border Pass at the SITL 2021 Exhibition (Transport and Logistics Innovation Week) held in Paris in the category Technologies, IOT et Systèmes d’Information. Since the opening of the service on 1st January 2021, as part of Brexit, more than 300,000 Eurotunnel Border Passes have been used by freight drivers transiting to and from Great Britain using the Channel Tunnel. This service, unique to the undersea cross-Channel route, makes it possible to exchange information necessary for the passage of goods from the carrier, via digital communications to the authorities of both the two countries, in a rapid and secure manner. The driver does not need to get out of the truck when crossing the border, or even to present a document when arriving on site as the license plate of the truck, included in the Pass, is recognised upon arrival at the terminal. Since mid-July, and given the success of this process, dedicated Eurotunnel Border Pass lanes have been set up at the Pit Stop located on the French terminal giving an advantage in speed of crossing for those using the Border Pass. Further dedicated lanes will be opened on the Folkestone terminal by the end of 2021. The simplification of the process offered by the Eurotunnel Border Pass has improved on-site traffic flow by 20%. Yann Leriche, Chief Executive Officer of Getlink, stated: “The massive use of the Eurotunnel Border Pass by our customers demonstrates the value of this offer. The feedback on the service is excellent, and carriers trust us to adapt our tools as UK import regulations are introduced from January 2022. Eurotunnel continues to offer our customers the fastest and easiest way to cross the Channel.” Eurotunnel wins Best Innovation Award for its Eurotunnel Border Pass TRUCK & TRAILER SOLUTIONS WELCOME TO ALLPORTS GROUP allportsgroup.co.uk Vehicle Graphics External Signage Covid-19 H & S Signage Promotional Signage