The forestry and timber sector has joined criticism of the Strategic Rail Authority draft plan to reduce freight capacity on the UK’s rail network.
The proposals are laid out in the SRA’s Specification of Network Outputs and the Freight Transport Association says they give clear priority to passenger services at the expense of freight movement. Recommendations include imposing closures and severe restrictions on what the FTA calls key parts of the rail freight network.
The FTA’s concerns are echoed by the Forestry & Timber Association. Spokesperson Jane Karthaus said that rail freight operator English Welsh and Scottish Railways estimated that around 200,000 tonnes of round timber were carried by rail per year.
She added: “Part of many journeys is on rural lines. The Forestry & Timber Association would be disappointed if the proposed reduction of maintenance and renewal on rural and freight-only lines makes rail transport less attractive. Much hard work has gone into reducing timber traffic on rural roads and rail transport is an important alternative.”
