Rail network grinds to a halt over construction works

Rail network grinds to a halt over construction works

ERFA highlights the impact of a series of infrastructure works during the summer period in Germany, but also on neighbouring networks, most notably in Italy, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands, which are heavily damaging rail’s reputation as a serious alternative to road transport. There are reported to be at least 22 construction sites during the month of July on the key Central Europe North- South corridor linking the north of Italy with Germany, the Netherlands and far beyond.

Reverse modal shift as customers forced to put goods back onto the road: negative impact on the environment, road congestion and safety during the busy summer period

Risk to rail of losing customers due to inconsistency of services and lack of reliability

Basic household goods such as washing powder, pet food, as well as key industrial goods, tyres, plastic granulates for automotive industry and parcel delivery services heavily impacted