Freight tonnage slumps to lowest point since 1996/97

BRITISH rail freight operators recorded the lowest total volume of freight lifted since 1996/97 for the period between July and September 2018.

Figures compiled by the Office of Rail and Road show that although the amount of freight moved increased by 2% to 4.4billion tonne-kilometres over the same period in 2017, the actual volumes continue to decrease.

Coal and petrochemicals traffic were the hardest hit, declining by 5% and 3% respectively to 0.26bn tonne-km each.

However, the metals sector bucked a long-term trend to increase by 4% to 0.35bn tonne-km. ‘Other’ freight (waste, biomass and mail) was up by 7% during the second quarter, while construction continued its rise, increasing by 3% to 1.16bn tonne-km.

Read more in the February 2019 issue of The RM – on sale now!

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