Rail Freight Group
By the time this issue hits the news-stands, many of us will already have waved goodbye to our New Year’s resolutions. Even by normal standards, January is a difficult time for making changes; this year has its own unique challenges, so you will be forgiven if dry January didn’t make it into week three.
Yet for business, the priorities for the year ahead cannot be so easily forgotten. We often write about the mix of challenges and opportunities, and 2021 seems likely to have more than the usual share of both. So, what are the priorities for rail freight in the year ahead?
GROWTH
If ever there was a time for chasing growth, this is it. The combination of Covid restrictions and the end of the Brexit transition period mean there is immense pressure on road haulage, and many customers are looking at alternative trade routes, including a shift from driver accompanied HGVs to unaccompanied freight movements and containerised shipping. This is leading to a spike in interest for rail from customers and ports across the UK, including the potential to do more via the Channel Tunnel.
