The use of rail to transport aggregates in the UK grew dramatically between 2008 and 2014, according to a new report from BDS Marketing Research, despite an overall fall in rail freight movements on the UK rail network.
According to the report, rail freight movements were down 20% in 2015 – 2016, as the decrease in coal-fired power generation saw demand for coal shipments fall away. In contrast, the transportation of aggregates on the UK’s rail network grew 65% between 2008 and 2014.
Rail has become “an increasingly important route to market,” said BDS Marketing Research, as aggregates companies and government step up efforts to improve sustainability and reduce carbon emissions.
The report identifies more than 70 operational rail depots that handle more than 16 million t of aggregates.
Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/11012017/rail-movement-of-aggregates-on-the-up/