A study published in September by Greengauge 21 has demonstrated the significant carbon benefits which could be achieved by allowing capacity released by High Speed 2 (HS2) on the existing network to be used by rail freight.
For capacity released on the West Coast Main Line (WCML), the report states that “the carbon savings from using the additional unclaimed capa-city of three train paths per hour in each direction for freight are considerably larger still, adding 55% to the direct carbon savings from HS2. This is such a strong advantage that it will be worthwhile examining complementary measures to ensure that a major switch from HGV road haulage to rail freight is achieved as a consequence of HS2”.
This could be achieved where or when there is spare HS2 capacity and with sufficiently high-performance high-speed electric freight trains. Freight carried by other transport modes has a significant carbon footprint and there are already trials in conveying high value freight by high speed rail on the continent.
The West Coast Main Line is the busiest long distance route for rail freight in the UK and providing additional capacity released via HS2 should be of considerable value as this reduces HGV traffic on the road network. Overall, per tonne-km, rail freight currently produces 77% less CO2 than road freight. Even when taking into account the fact that longer distance rail freight on the WCML is more likely to be a substitute for the larger, more efficient, lorries, the carbon advantage is still 67% compared to road transport.
“This research demonstrates the carbon benefits for the UK which can be achieved through modal shift to rail freight, as part of the development of HS2. The British Government must commit to ensuring that a fair share of the released capacity is protected for freight use, as the work to develop HS2 progresses”, declared Maggie Simpson, Rail Freight Group Executive Director.
The project will be developed by High Speed Two Ltd., a company set up by the British Government. The line, which will take the form of the “Y” letter, starts London going to Birmingham, where it separates into two other lines, one to Manchester and the other one to Leeds, via East Midlands. The project comprises two major phases, the first one being the construction of the line London – Birmingham, works being expected to begin at the middle of 2018 and are due in 2026. The second phase of works will focus on the separate routes, the one to Manchester and the one to Leeds. In this case, the project consultancy will begin in 2014 and the lines will be built by 2033.
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