PD Ports named RFG’s Business of the Year 2019
PD Ports has won the Business of the Year Award at the Rail Freight Group’s annual excellence awards, with the judges praising its outstanding commitment to its customers and to the wider local community in the North East.
Network Rail won the Project of the Year category for its enhancement work on the Felixstowe to Nuneaton route, increasing capacity from 33 to up to 47 freight trains a day.
A joint entry by Tarmac and RFS Works Ltd won the Innovation and Technical Development Award for a redesign of an urban depot including an innovative ‘Supergrab’ that significantly increased capacity and efficiency.
Peel Ports in Liverpool triumphed in the Community & Environmental Responsibility category with the rejuvenation of rail services and a huge investment in training and in generating new jobs in the local community.
An ‘astounding’ increase in turnaround times at a quarry by separating the shunting and the mainline services earned a joint entry by Victa Railfreight and Cemex UK the Customer Care Awards.
There were also two individuals recognised at the awards – Alan Handley of DB Cargo for Outstanding Individual Contribution and Craig Bickley of Maritime Transport was named as Young Railfreight Professional of the Year.
The awards were presented by the awards’ sponsors and presenters on the night John Smith, MD of GB Railfreight (GBRf), and Simon Coppen of Burges Salmon at a dinner held on 12 September at the De Vere Latimer Estate Hotel, Chesham.
Maggie Simpson, RFG Executive Director, said: “We continue to be amazed by the excellent and innovative work done by the members of the Rail Freight Group and are pleased to be able to recognise some of them through these awards.”
The Group welcomed Neil Robertson, Chief Executive, NSAR, who gave the after dinner speech, and money was raised for the Railway Benefit Fund (RBF), the chosen charity of the RFG Awards Dinner.
