Supermarkets turn to rail-freight operations
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by Sally Nash
• Supermarket giants Safeway and Sainsbury's are both claiming to be the first to start longterm rail-freight operations in the UK.
Safeway, which began trials of road/rail trailers for wine transport in June, is transporting two rail containers a day between Yorkshire and Kent. Around 2.500 cases of soft drinks will be moved by rail. taking about 10 lorry loads a week off the roads.
Over the coming months Safeway says it will move other products by rail—even perishables are not beyond the realms of possibility"—adding "We think we are the first because we ran the trials in June.
But Sainsbury's insists that it is the first British retailer to commit to using rail freight.
At the end of September, it began moving canned goods by rail between its primary distribution centre in Colchester and its £23m Langlands Park depot in East Kilbride, Scotland.
Sainsbury's, which first used rail transport about 30 years ago, says it will move to rail "wherever possible".
Distribution director Bob Parle says: "Using 44-tonne railfreight, we can reduce the number of journeys required for heavier products."
Both supermarkets operations are being serviced by English, Welsh & Scottish Railway.
_1 The ETA has published a new guide on how to send goods by rail. It says this is in response to members' enquiries about the services offered by privatised rail-freight companies.
The
ty of government grants and the safety and technical arrangements for rail-freight operations. Copies of the Rail Freight Guide are available from the FTA on 01892 552273.