Tilbury, UK: Tesco and Direct Rail Services have partnered to offer a new temperature-controlled rail service – the first time that Tesco has used refrigerated rail freight in the UK.
The service will run seven days a week, distributing chilled goods twice a day from Tilbury to Coatbridge, such as sprouts, parsnips, carrots, onions, oranges and lemons.
The service supports Tesco’s commitment to reach net zero emissions in its operations by 2035. Around 40 lorries will be taken off the road for every journey it makes. The 415-mile route will use DRS’s Class 88 bi-mode electric locomotives which can run on electricity and produce zero exhaust and greenhouse gas emissions. This service alone will take at least 17,000 containers off the road each year, saving Tesco 7.3 million road miles and nearly 9,000 tonnes of CO2e.
Jason Tarry, Tesco UK and 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.”
Chris Connelly, NTS Deputy chief executive and rail director, said: “This is an example of how rail can play an integral part in the race to net zero. Each train will remove around 40 lorries from Britain’s roads and we’re running two trains a day, seven days a week, saving 9,000 tonnes of CO2 a year. We’re thrilled to be working with Tesco on this new service, helping them drive down their carbon footprint as they deliver for their customers throughout the UK.”
Tesco is increasing its use of rail freight as part of its efforts to meet its commitment to net zero emissions in its own operations by 2035. Over the past year alone the supermarket has increased the number of containers with produce destined for stores transported by rail by nearly 50%.
