London Assembly Transport Committee Inquiry Road Space Driving and Congestion
Rail Freight Group was pleased to provide evidence to the London Assembly Transport Committee Inquiry on Road Space Driving and Congestion.
Rail has the potential to help alleviate congestion in London, not just by reallocating space currently taken up by HGVs on London’s roads, but in so doing, help to reduce the number of road works resulting from the wear and tear they cause. Whilst rail freight cannot replace every HGV movement, using rail for long-distance movements can alleviate congestion on the trunk road network and in key urban terminals. Rail freight can also work with other modes to support better local deliveries by sustainable transport modes.
Rail is the most environmentally benign mode for moving freight in the UK. Per unit load, it is responsible for less than a quarter of the CO2 emissions associated with moving the same load by road. With further investment in electrification and in non-fossil forms of power generation, emissions can be reduced still further. It also helps to improve air quality.
Since the publication of the Mayor of London’s transport strategy in 2018, the need for investment in the rail network in and around London has become ever more acute following changes within the shipping industry and the growth of intermodal rail freight from the ports along the Thames Estuary. This investment includes some larger projects, but also a series of small schemes which would help improve capacity for both passenger and freight services.