Opinion

Channel Tunnel security is critical for rail freight

Maggie Simpson, executive director, Rail Freight Group

The UK and French government's took joint action this week to tackle the on-going security problems around the Channel Tunnel at Calais. It is a welcome move but is it enough to safeguard cross Channel rail freight business, asks Maggie Simpson?

This week, UK Home Secretary Theresa May met with her French counterpart Bernard Cazeneuve to discuss the ongoing situation at Calais, and agree joint measures to improve security at the Eurotunnel site and surrounding areas.  

It is a welcome move, given the weeks of disruption and little prospect of a short term solution to the underlying migration problem.  It is to the credit of Eurotunnel and of both Governments that some progress has been made in managing the situation over the summer reducing, although not eliminating, the disruption for Shuttle traffic.

"So what needs to happen?  Quite simply, the security measures around Eurotunnel’s compound need to be extended to encompass Calais Frethun freight yard and the rail lines which access it."

Yet ironically, as security improved at the Eurotunnel terminal, the problem has been moving down the tracks onto SNCF infrastructure, and the impact on through rail freight has been increasing. 

Damage to goods and equipment is common as migrants seek to hide in curtain sided containers and on wagons. Some customers have already suspended services in favour of alternative routes, not usually involving rail, and the operators are struggling to maintain business.

This is all the more frustrating because rail volumes through the Tunnel had, for the first time since the 2001 immigration crisis, been growing consistently.  Eurotunnel’s welcome action in reducing track charges, the introduction of a discount for new services, and the ability for some trains to run via HS1 using standard high gauge European equipment had stimulated demand, and the financial year to April saw 27% growth.  

New services, such as that for Russell Transport were attracting new customers onto the route, with good success.  But confidence is a fragile thing, and without urgent action it is all too easy to see how this progress will be lost.

"Rail freight needs to be included within the overall package of measures around access to the Tunnel."

So what needs to happen?  Quite simply, the security measures around Eurotunnel’s compound need to be extended to encompass Calais Frethun freight yard and the rail lines which access it. 

This needs both physical measures for although the yard has secure fencing itself, it is all too easy to access the track further along the line, and it also needs co-ordinated security and policing from the French authorities. 

In essence, rail freight needs to be included within the overall package of measures around access to the Tunnel, in collaboration with UK and French authorities.   The discussions this week are helpful in this regard, and must continue with urgency.

The television pictures of Operation Stack serve to remind us of the huge potential there is for international rail traffic via the Tunnel.  We cannot afford another set back.

 

Maggie Simpson, is executive director of the Rail Freight Group