12 October 2021
RMT Press Office:
RMT warns that electricity price hike threatens to destroy rail freight and jack up dirty diesel use.
RAIL UNION RMT warned today that a 200% increase from Network Rail on electricity charges to rail freight operators risks wrecking the industry while jacking up the use of diesel on both rail and road – making a nonsense of the Government's CO2 targets.
General Secretary Mick Lynch said:
“As COP26 approaches the Government have to step in to stop this carnage on our railways.
“With the road haulage industry already in turmoil, and with the threat of empty shelves this Christmas, we should be encouraging the use of rail freight not battering it into submission with electricity charges that will add millions of pounds to rail freight companies’ bills, with one operator reporting an £8M increase in costs.
“It's a nonsense that it will be far cheaper to run dirty, polluting diesel units rather than the clean electric alternative. The government cannot wash their hands of this and must step in to support the green rail option before it’s too late.
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