Quote:
Originally Posted by ranter
AGREED.We have a more than adequate road network.What has to be improved is the maintanence.Speed up resurfacing ,reduce damage and lighten the traffic by getting the frieght back on the underused railways.
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I'd also be in favour of getting more freight (and passengers for that matter) off the roads and on to rail transport.
But, much of the rail network was lost following the Beeching report and businesses have evolved to make use of road transport links - geographical locations to suit access to motorways for example.
Network Rail is touting for business:
Network Rail - Moving Freight
The section on the need for road haulage at each end of the journey is interesting. Network rail are accepting that there will generally be such a need.
Many production plants that I have been to
had a railway line into the works. Road transport was not required.
Now, I don't know any that have a railway line. Dispatch bays are set up for automatically loading tractor trailer units.
In short, I see no easy way back for rail freight.