Society and economy depend on rail freight
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the article Rail and bus sectors heavily subsidised by government' (CM I December) does not explain that rail freight gets its targeted support because of its public benefits to society and the economy.
Grants are paid because freight trains, which can remove the equivalent of up to 160 long-distance HGVs per trip, reduce road congestion that costs the economy £17bn a year, according to the Freight Trans port Association. And because rail produces 70% less carbon dioxide than the equivalent road journey.
And because rail is safer than long-distance road freight using major roads, as HGVs are more than three times more likely to be involved in fatal accidents than cars because of a combination of size. lack of proper enforcement of drivers' hours, vehicle overloading and differing foreign operating standards.
Road accidents cost society £18bn a year according to the Institute of Advanced Motoring.
Philippa Edmunds Manager, Freight on Rail