Logistics UK's Response To Report On Climate Resilience In Rail

Responding to the publication of "Climate Resilience in Rail Electrification - Summer 2024 Update"  summarising the climate threats facing British railways, Ellis Shelton, Senior Policy Advisor, at business group Logistics UK, says:

"The UK logistics industry must decarbonise, and electric locomotives are essential for this. Modal shift and dependable infrastructure have been demonstrated to be delivered by electrification.

"Extremely rainy spells followed by hot, dry periods greatly exacerbate railway embankment instability which is a developing problem on the UK rail network. Weather changes also lead to increased cyclical loading on electrification equipment, resulting in shorter lifespans.

"While climate resilience is ingrained in both renewed and new electrification installations, equipment installed prior to the 1990s is most at risk of failure, as it is not designed to endure the UK's more unpredictable weather. And the quick evaluation and replacement of susceptible legacy assets is necessary to combat this."

Logistics UK is one of the UK's leading business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With decarbonisation, Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, sea and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods. For more information about the organisation and its work, please visit logistics.org.uk