• More freight will switch from road to rail because
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of the Working Time Directive, according to the Glasgow-based Malcolm Group, John Holvvell, the group's rail development manager, expects consignors to turn to rail when the 48-hour working week comes into force in a bid to cope with distance restrictions and driver shortages, "provided the reliability and cost are right'.
The logistics specialist is receiving more enquiries from existing and prospective customers than it has done in the past—Holwell believes cost is no longer the issue it once was: "The perception is that cost is more reasonable now."
The group expects 10% of its total mileage to be made by rail this year. It hopes to push railfreight turnover from 1% last year to 5% in this financial year.
In April this year the group opened a £2.75m rail-freight terminal in Grangemouth to complement its existing road-rail complex at Crick.
Malcolm Group concentrates on a range of glass products, drinks, food and other retail products. A company called Direct Rail Services manages the operation.
Last week, while announcing the company's financial results, Malcolm Group managing director Andrew Malcolm attacked the government for not investing more in rail freight .
Turnover of the group's logistics operation was boosted by 25% in the half-year to August, to £33m .