The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport – CILT(UK) – has released a detailed map and strategy for electrifying rail freight operations by the mid-2040s.
Currently, a mere 10 per cent of British freight trains are hauled by electric locomotives, while a handful of short unelectrified sections force freight trains to be diesel-hauled for long distances ‘under the wires’. Electrifying these ‘infill’ sections would allow around two million train miles a year to be decarbonised, according to CILT. This is equivalent to taking around 80 million diesel HGV miles off Britain’s roads each year.
It's estimated that the initial 60 miles of infill electrification would cost around £50m a year over two years – less than the cost of one road scheme – and represent a ‘no regrets’ project.
Furthermore, CILT suggests an electrification programme of 40 route miles a year for 20 years, at a cost of £100 million per year, is required to deliver "this significant...