TruckandTrackSummer2020

Truck and Track Summer 2020 www.truckandtrack.com 68 RAILFREIGHT The Rail Freight Group (RFG) has welcomed Government’s announcement that improved freight capacity and electrification is to be developed as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade. With a further £589mnow committed to the project, an Integrated Rail Plan will consider how freight capacity can be provided as part of the core scheme. However, with the plan not due till December, RFG is urging Government to ensure that freight enhancements to deliver capacity and gauge clearance are accelerated to ensure they can be delivered as part of the already committed scheme. Most of these enhancements have already been studied and scoped in concept. Ports and businesses across the North of England have been working with RFG to make the case for improved rail freight links on the Transpennine routes. New rail freight services will support post-Covid recovery, andhelpdevelopnewtrade routes post Brexit, delivering economic growth in the region. By removing hundreds of HGV movements from the road network, rail freight will also help deliver the green recovery, reducing carbon and air quality emissions. Mike Hogg, RFG Northern Representative, said: “We are pleased to see Government has listened to businesses who have clearly set out their aspirations to use more rail freight as part of their distribution networks. This project is vital in ensuring that those companies can deliver for the economy of the North, whilst also decarbonising their transport links.” Maggie Simpson RFGDirector-General said: “Businesses across the North are biting at the bit to integrate rail into their distribution networks. Today’s announcement is a welcome step forward, but Government must keep the pressure on and move from development to confirmed delivery as soon as possible.” RFG: Transpennine freight must see accelerated delivery The Rail Freight Group (RFG) is delighted to announce the finalists for its RFG Awards 2020. Entries were received from members right across the rail freight sector including freight operators, ports, terminals, logistics companies, customers and support service providers. Judges were impressed by the consistently high quality of entries and RFG would like to thank everyone for taking the time to enter, recognising the successful work undertaken by teams and colleagues up and down the country. Congratulations to each of the shortlisted companies: ■■ ABP ■■ Aggregate Industries ■■ Brett Aggregates ■■ DB Cargo ■■ DCRail ■■ Direct Rail Services ■■ Freightliner ■■ iPort ■■ GB Railfreight ■■ Hutchison Ports, Felixstowe ■■ Network Rail ■■ PD Ports ■■ PD Stirling ■■ Victa Railfreight ■■ VTG Rail RFG will be announcing the winners and runners-up at a special online event, which will be held on Thursday 10 September 2020 at 7pm . We would urge everyone to come out and support their company on the night. The online awards ceremony is an exciting new addition to the annual events calendar, obviously prompted by the current situation we all find ourselves in. The team has joined forces with Burges Salmon and GB Railfreight (GBRf) to co-host what promises to be an exciting night of entertainment and recognition of this dynamic and deserving sector. Alongside our usual award categories, we will have entertainment and some surprise guests on the night. As usual, we welcome our regular hosting duo: Simon Coppen (Burgess Salmon) and John Smith (GB Railfreight). We are very grateful to both companies for their longstanding support for these awards. Commiserations to those whose entries were not successful in being shortlisted on this occasion, but we hope you will consider entering next year. RFG Awards 2020 Shortlist announced In its first webinar of a series, RFG was delighted to join its member Addleshaw Goddard in hosting a two-part debate cov- ering the key issues of rail freight’s role in the future of a green economy and sustain- ability. In the first session, Maggie Simpson, Direc- tor-General, RFG, and Paul Hirst from Addle- shaw Goddard, were joined by Henri Murison, Director, Northern Powerhouse Partnership and Geoff Lippitt, Business Development Direc- tor at PD Ports. Some 73 listeners heard how the sector was addressing electrification, the decarbonisation of rail itself, and advancing the case for greater modal share with road. Rail’s role in improving air quality was seen as key in advancing the green debate nationally as were the establish- ment of new railheads to enhance the attraction of rail to large 3PLs and retailers. Henri said: “Rail has to become a brand leader in the green economy and it should define the future of the railway and become a key differen- tiator and not just be seen as cleaner than road. We have to move the debate on.” Geoff highlighted how the use of rail has helped it extend its hinterland connections, but noted that rail freight needed to keep pace with inno- vations in other sectors, particularly in decar- bonisation. In a snapshot poll of listeners, the group asked about the two most important factors required to enable growth in modal share. By far, they said greater network capacity and better access to the rail network were needed. In the second part of the session, Cathy Fearn- head, Real Estate Partner at Addleshaw Continued on page 2. NEWS Helping ensure a sustainable future for UK rail freight P.3 RFG Handb ok 2020/21 now available online. July 2020 142 P.9 GBRf and Cemex unveil new Dove Holes service. P.10 Davis Wagon Services on wagon availability through Covid-19. P.18 Rail Freight sector gets its own TV show from Railfreight.com RFG lau ches summer webinar seri s The Rail Freight Group has adapted its events cale d r to continue tackling the key issues across the sector. DB Cargo and Drax announce new five-year deal Article on page 8. Maggie Simpson LOADS MORE FOR THE PALLET NETWORKS 01543 420 121 www.deker.co.uk