Network Rail 'cuts carbon emissions' by transporting furniture using trains

Date: 19/12/2011

Network Rail is aiming to make its operations more eco-friendly by transporting furniture for its new national centre in Milton Keynes from Europe by rail.

The organisation has teamed up with DB Schenker Rail and will use trains to move items from Basel in Switzerland to Hams Hall rail freight terminal in Birmingham.

This will cut CO2 emissions by more than 90 per cent and save around 100,000km of lorry journeys.

Combined, the length of the wagons required to move the furniture is more than half a kilometre.

Alain Thauvette, Chief Executive of DB Schenker Rail UK, said: "In delivering significantly reduced carbon emissions, we have been able to use our pan-European rail freight network to deliver a seamless haulage solution that meets Network Rail's needs."

Network Rail is due to open its new headquarters - called The Quadrant:MK - in 2012 and the building will include many sustainable features.

Stobart Group recently announced the reintroduction of its low-carbon rail freight service transporting fruit and vegetables from Spain to the UK.

Posted by Nick Anderson