Event report: Autumn Members’ Meeting & AGM

With the Group AGM and Autumn meeting held in Northampton this year (12 November), there was a focus on the new Northampton Gateway Terminal and rail network and services through the central England region for the first part of the meeting.

James Tierney of Maritime Logistics outlined the challenges of making shorthaul rail competitive against road, especially when track access charges continue to increase and fuel duty for road vehicles has been frozen for more than five years.  James highlighted the significant opportunity for rail from the new terminal which has capacity for new services, and a daily train already in operation.

Benjamin Bird of Yusen Logistics gave delegates an insight into the future with a vision of the highly automated, sustainable distribution centre which the company is building in Northampton. The availability of rail access was integral to selection of this location for the multi-user facility, which is a massive investment for Yusen outside its usual portfolio.

Ben Rule of East-West Rail said the railway will not only improve connectivity between urban centres which is important to unlock economic growth, it also provides strategic connections between other mainline rail links, which is especially important for freight. The company is committed to maintaining current freight services on the route and planning to meet increased demand in the future.

Bryan Evans of Oxfordshire County Council said they had identified the need for a 50% increase in capacity for rail freight if the county is to meet its modal shift targets, with new infrastructure projects and electrification key to this project. Action 1 of its Freight & Logistics Strategy is to move freight from road to rail.

Simon Evans of Wabtec explained how the company has made a huge investment by setting up a new Wabtec Rail Technology Campus due to open next year. It is producing track and train-friendly bogies with an emphasis on the total cost of ownership, as it also continues its eight-year-long project to develop the self-powered bogie which could have significant benefits for freight

The last two presentations focussed on the health and well-being.
Wendy McCristal of The Mental Wealth Company looking at ways to help the workforce handle uncertainty through building psychological safety in teams and workplaces.  She highlighted the key stress factors that arise in uncertainty and the steps that businesses can take to better support their workforce in times of change.

Ben Lumley of Night Club outlined the specific challenges for night workers who can have worse social and health outcomes than those on day shifts.  He highlighted the need for businesses to give specifc focus on nightworkers, and for staff to be supported to make better lifestyle choices.  Ben highlighted specific support and guidance which they can offer to companies to help.

After the meeting, many of the delegates took the opportunity to visit Maritime’s Northampton Gateway Terminal to see how the investment there will help increase capacity for rail.

RFG would like to thank Maritime Logistics for their support and all the speakers for making it such an interesting and enjoyable meeting.