|
Home >
News >
Rail freight in rush not to be derailed by EU directive
|
Rail freight in rush not to be derailed by EU directive
Published on 26 April 2010
The powerful Freight Transport Association (FTA) have highlighted the impending peril attached to an EU Directive that could prohibit growth within the freight market.
The directive, the Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM) is due to be introduced by the end of 2011.
According to the FTA’s Rail Freight Policy Manager, Chris MacRea: “The NRMM Directive brings tighter emissions standards that will require locomotives to be fitted with a less nitrogen oxide and particulate emitting power unit that currently doesn’t exist. The larger cooler system required leaves a big question mark over whether such a power unit would even fit into existing locomotives due to the UK’s restrictive loading gauge. The whole thing is a mess and a great concern for anyone operating Class 66 locos.”
The situation could arise where those trying to enter into the freight market could find that the ‘work-horse’ of rail freight the Class 66 locomotive might not be manufactured if it is not feasible to build them to the new required standards.
The FRA believe that there is an urgent need to amend the directive and build in some leeway so that the rail freight industry can comply with the directive rather than having it come to a halt.
MacRae concluded: “The fact that an NRMM Directive compliant power unit is not yet available is a huge cause for concern, especially for freight operating companies when existing locos come up for mid-life re-engineering. With the reported lack of interest in building such a power unit and inflexibility within the NRMM Directive allowing existing power units to be retrofitted, the issue is pressing to say the least.”
|
