Network Rail’s failure to reopen the network on time after engineering possessions has caused serious problems for rail freight over the last few days.  Whereas the industry can generally make alternative arrangements or use diversionary routes for times of planned closures, being given just a few hours warning that a line is not going to reopen is just as disastrous to freight as it is to passengers.

It was particularly bad for the supermarket industry who have to provide 24/7 service to their customers to be told that supplies from the depots at the Daventry Terminal are effectively isolated by the WCML closure overrun.  It is very disappointing for the rail freight industry, who have been working hard in the last year to encourage supermarkets to use more rail freight customers to be told – ‘sorry – no trains today with your supermarket goods.  We apologise for any inconvenience caused by your shelves being empty!’

RFG Chairman Tony Berkeley commented:

‘This disaster must never be allowed to happen again.   A thorough review with the ORR and the industry is required to ensure proper planning of possessions and the provision of suitable diversionary routes for freight including access to terminals.

‘There must then be much more efficient management of possessions, coupled with regular updates to those affected if there are any problems.    Is it really acceptable to give operators just a few hours notice that a possession will overrun by several days?’

However, there are more serious problems than just improved communications and blaming others.  We believe it is essential that, out of this fiasco, Network Rail learn from other infrastructure managers to introduce world best practice, for example:

- CN in Canada replaces 60mph main line turnouts in 8 hours, ‘in order to keep the network open for our customers’

- Infrabel, the Infrastructure Manager in Belgium, guarantees 24/7 access for freight on main routes, either by single line working or by the provision of diversionary routes.  

- make use of temporary crossovers already approved by NR

- make regular use of single line working, so that everyone gets used to it.   This is regular practice on the continent.  

- If necessary, change the safety rules to allow these to be done safely – as happens in other countries.

Tony Berkeley concluded ‘we need, and have a right to expect, an efficiently managed and cost effective rail network, using world best practice to maintain critical route open 24/7.  The supermarkets provide 24/7 service and so should Network Rail.   Network Rail has achieve much over the last few years, but a change in approach is now essential if the network is to be capable of accommodating the growth in freight and passenger traffic that is forecast.  

‘Unplanned closure of the most important freight route in the UK is not a way of encouraging more rail freight and thereby delivering the Government’s environmental agenda.’

Further information RFG Chairman - Tony Berkeley +44 7710 431 542

                        RFG Director General - Alan Bennett +44 7904 342400