“Freight belongs on rail”: call to save Royal Mail rail and put rail freight first
29 July 2024
Campaign for Better Transport has called upon the new Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, to work with Royal Mail to find a way for it to continue transporting post by rail. In a letter welcoming Lord Hendy to his role, the charity highlights the importance of rail freight, and asks the Government to support and grow the sector.
Paul Tuohy of Campaign for Better Transport said:
“For Royal Mail to stop using trains would be a tragedy. Rail and mail have been working together, connecting communities for almost 200 years. But this is about the future more than the past: to reduce road traffic, pollution and carbon emissions, the Government needs to protect and grow the rail freight sector. With one freight train journey replacing up to 129 HGV journeys, it’s clear that freight belongs on rail.”
In its letter, Campaign for Better Transport calls upon the Government to engage with Royal Mail and the rail freight industry to explore all possible solutions to enable Royal Mail to procure replacement rolling stock at a competitive cost to enable them to continue operating after the October cut-off date.
In the longer term, the Government should rebalance the discrepancies in cost between road haulage and rail freight, for instance by unfreezing fuel duty; reducing track access charges for freight trains; and/or subsidising the cost of electricity for rail freight operators who have switched to electric traction.
ENDS
For further information please contact the press office on 07984 773 468 (calls only no texts) or communications@bettertransport.org.uk.
Notes to Editors
Read Campaign for Better Transport’s letter to Lord Hendy.
A report by Rail Partners shows that a single rail freight service can remove up to 129 HGV movements. A diesel-hauled rail freight service reduces carbon emissions by 76% per tonne compared to road.
Campaign for Better Transport operates in England and Wales. Campaign for Better Transport’s vision is for all communities to have access to high quality, sustainable transport that meets their needs, improves quality of life and protects the environment. Campaign for Better Transport Charitable Trust is a registered charity (1101929).
