Only 7% of hauliers believe rail is a major challenge to their financial stability despite its growth, according to a new survey. The report by financial and business adviser Grant Thornton revealed that just 11% of hauliers regarded rail as a future challenge. Ian Carr, a partner within Grant Thornton's Recovery & Reorganisation practice, says rail can help solve the problem of congestion. He says many retailers keen to prove their green credentials welcome a combination of transport modes to
meet their logistics requirements.
"The key driver is carbon emission targets - certain customers are asking hauliers to consider rail and water to reduce their carbon footprints," Carr tells Motor Transport. Carr says if the cost of road haulage increases then rail would the most viable alternative as it has a reduced environmental impact. But he admits the price of transport is critical.
Rail freight operator EWS agrees that the emphasis on climate change and emissions is changing customers' perspective on rail which it says has environmental advantages over road. EWS says rail produces between five and ten times fewer emissions than road transport per tonne carried.
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