News

The Freight Transport Association is working on a five-point rail-freight programme. The FTA's rail-freight council has agreed on the programme to promote the needs of rail freight. FTA rail-freight and global supply chain service manager Chris MacRae says: "It is vital that the correct conditions, whether they be costs of access, planning processes or infrastructure enhancements, are put in place to ensure that rail-freight  growth can take place to meet the challenges of the Eddington and Stern Reports."

The five points are:

• Clearing network bottlenecks
• Modifying gauges to suit intermodal containers
• Liberalising international services with Channel Tunnel freight access at competitive rates
• Developing rail-freight terminals under government planning proposals
• Promoting a pan-European route for rail freight

The Department for Transport has called for funds to finance projects in the North Sea as part of the EU's plan to establish "motorways of the sea" which it expects to become key routes between EU states and neighbouring countries. The European Commission will make the final decision on which projects will receive funding.