Tesco’s first UK refrigerated rail freight service aims to tackle the current HGV driver shortage by reducing the number of its lorries on the road.
Running from Tilbury in Essex, to Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, the service will transport chilled goods over a 415-mile route that will operate twice a day, seven days a week.
Long-term changes
Jason Terry, Tesco UK & ROI chief executive, said: “We’ve been using rail to transport our goods since 2008 and this new service reflects our continuing commitment to rail which has clear advantages for our business, our customers and the planet. Our rail service will be an important part of our efforts to deliver a fantastic Christmas for our customers but the journey doesn’t stop here as we continue to increase the number of containers we transport by rail as part of our commitment to reach net zero emissions in our operations by 2035.”
The new rail service aims to lower the retailer’s carbon emissions by using electric locomotives, which deliver 76% fewer CO2 emissions when compared to road vehicles.
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