RFG hosts members in Middlesbrough for 2024 Autumn Meeting

Speakers at the RFG Autumn Meeting in Middlesbrough ( 13 November 2024 ) covered a wide range of topics, with some focussed on the North East region and others looking more widely at the rail freight industry in the UK.

Mark Bridel, Senior Regional Freight Manager, Eastern Region, Network Rail, emphasized that Network Rail needs to get information from the whole of the market, not just the FOCs (freight operating companies), when it is producing strategic documents. So he is setting up a Growth Board in the Eastern Region to involve all stakeholders.

The Port of Middlesbrough, part of the AV Dawson Group, recognises that reducing emissions is not only a response to customer demand, it is also the right thing to do, according to Jon Booth, Head of Sustainability & Performance. He added that making rail a viable option for customers is a vital part of that plan.

Geoff Lippitt, Group Commercial and Strategy Director, PD Ports, explained how the port launched the first generation of portcentric logistics. It aims to be a hub for the whole of the northern region, not just the north-east, so upgrading the TransPennine route is vital to achieving that goal. A new service to Trafford Park using low-liners is about to be trialled on the route but that is not the long-term answer, he said.

Martin Bignell, North England and Scotland Representative, RFG, used the opportunity of the Middlesbrough meeting to launch a new RFG brochure: Rail Freight in the North East. He also listed the many different bodies dealing with rail in the region, many of which RFG is involved with, and emphasized the need for more co-ordination and co-operation.

The Government sees the new GB Rail body as a “directing mind rather than a guiding mind” as it was before, Emma Richards, Head of Rail Freight, Department for Transport, told delegates. It will establish a central rail freight team and is really keen to engage with the freight industry. Rail freight operators will remain within the private sector

Gauge clearing costs for the TransPennine Route have become more affordable, according to Nick Haigh, Head of Strategy & Approvals, TransPennine Route Upgrade, DfT. And it is important to include the wider social economic benefits as part of the business case. He added that there could still be a problem with capacity even if the gauge clearing issue is solved.

The final speakers gave an update on the ‘Freight Friendly’ priorities in the Rail Technical Strategy and emphasized the need to continue stakeholder engagement. Leann.Bliszko, Programme Manager, Railfreight Team, GBRTT and Luisa Moisio, Head of Research, RSS, said companies which have identified a research need or opportunity they need help with, they should send a proposal via the website www.railtechnicalstrategy.co.uk

Some delegates enjoyed a brief tour of the Port of Middlesbrough and PD Ports after the meeting Thanks to all our speakers and to the Port of Middlesbrough for hosting us.