FTA uneasy ahead of McNulty study findings

The Freight Transport Association has called for the Government to recognise freight's importance to the economy; protect rail freight investment, and keep track access charges down, as the industry awaits the outcome of Sir Roy McNulty's Rail Value for Money study.

Sir Roy McNulty is heading an independent review of value for money in the rail industry which was originally expected in 2011. Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has urged the process to be speeded up as he wants the findings before October's Comprehensive Spending Review.


The FTA is worried the report and subsequent CSR will pave the way for an erosion or removal of the Strategic Freight Network (SFN). It also fears track access charges may rise which could act as a tipping point for those companies unsure about the value of track over tarmac.



James Hookham, FTA's MD of Policy and Communications, said: “There are suggestions that the Value for Money study might recommend major structural changes for the railway industry, this would be political and modal suicide. The McNulty study should instead build on the success of rail freight in recent years.”