The Mineral Products Association (MPA), representing producers of aggregates and cement transported by rail, has supported calls from the Rail Freight Group for differences to be resolved ahead of National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT)-announced strike days.
Construction materials are one of the biggest flows of rail freight on the network, with rail connecting quarries in places such as the Peak District, Leicestershire and the Mendips with their markets in major cities such as London, Manchester and Birmingham. Each aggregates freight train takes around 76 lorries off the road, saving carbon and reducing congestion and noise while supplying essential materials.
The pattern of strike days – Tuesday, 21 June, Thursday, 23 June and Saturday, 25 June – has been designed to cause maximum disruption and will potentially cause backlogs at MPA members’ sites and shortages at depots in cities. MPA welcomes the acknowledgement of freight in statements by Network Rail and DfT, especially in the light of the mineral products sector’s essential status as recognised by Government.
Nigel Jackson, chief executive of MPA, said: “Our members use rail freight extensively and would like to use it more in the future. This strike threatens disruption to the flow of essential materials and damages confidence. I urge the RMT, Network Rail and Government to get together and find a solution to avoid this completely unnecessary damage to our industry and the wider economy.”
