Construction and Intermodal rail freight reach new high

Construction traffic moved by rail freight grew by 7% in the year to April 2017 to a record high of 4.25 billion tonne-km, according to statistics released today by Office of Rail and Road. Driven by a buoyant construction sector, growth has been supported by investment from freight customers and operators in new high volume equipment, longer trains and additional services.

Intermodal traffic also had a record year, growing 6% to a record level of 6.81 billion tonne-km reflecting new services and routes as well as continued pressure for longer trains.

Maggie Simpson, RFG Executive Director, said: “Many commentators have predicted the death of rail freight with the end of coal but these results show that rail freight is able to adapt and grow in other markets. The investment and efforts of train operators and their customers has delivered record breaking results in construction and intermodal traffic which we hope to see continue in the year ahead.”