Tunnel rail link must allow for freight too
Tunnel rail link must allow for freight too
The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) has refuted suggestions that the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) is not giving enough priority to freight services.
The Freight Transport Association (FTA) claimed that a consultation paper produced by the SRA on the use of the CTRL only refers to freight usage of the link on one page out of 28.
Head of rail freight at the FTA, Andrew Traill, said the CTRL presented a chance to reduce congestion on the roads, although he accepted that the steep gradients and tight curves could be restrictive to some types of freight trains.
“There needs to be a wide and high profile investigation into what opportunities the line does present to freight – directly and indirectly, ” he said.
Jeff Miles, freight executive at the SRA said: “The consultation is purely and simply a document on passenger issues.” He added that a consultation by Kent County Council was to follow which would focus more on freight. Traill said he did not believe there would be any such consultation.
Graham Meiklejohn, of EWS, said he hoped that many freight services would use the route, providing access could be secured.
The line would give direct access for European freight into London and reduce journey times to Birmingham and the north. “We are fairly confident that the line issues will be overcome as studies have been carried out into the power required. We have the technology to run on it, ” Meiklejohn said.
nEurotunnel recorded a small increase in operating profit for 2002, from £188m ( t286m) to £194m ( t295m).
Chief executive Richard Shirrefs said that despite increased pressure from external events, the company had held operating costs at the previous year’s level.
Tighter control of costs had offset the rise in insurance premiums since 11 September and £4m ( t6m) spent on security to protect the Tunnel from intrusions by asylum seekers added to costs, he said.
Posted: 17/02/2003
