Full stop for Southern Norways railway goods transport
Through the last years, all of the immense increase of goods transport in and out of Kristiansand has ended up on the road. The railway to Southern Norway is filled to capacity.
- The politicians' talk about moving goods from road to railway will only prove to be idle chatter as long as nothing is done to increase railway capacity, says Mr. Ole A, Hagen, Communications Manager, Tollpost Globe.
Tollpost's statistics show a yearly increase in goods volume of 20 percent in and out of the Kristiansand terminal. This results in about 10,000 more trailers on the E18 and E39 each and every year. On already heavily strained roads, this is a serious problem.
In Kristiansand, there are three main problems:
- The Langemyr goods terminal is short on capacity. The industry has been waiting a long time for a new container track at Langemyr.
- Cargonet (previously NSB Goods) has no available goods wagons.
- The Norwegian National Rail Administration (Jernbaneverket) cannot offer increased train service, due to a lack of, as well as length of, cross tracks.
Just one of these problems would have been enough to prevent reloading of goods from road to railway. All three makes the railway situation hopeless for the time being.
- It is absolutely crucial that something is done. Local politicians have done their part of the job by preparing for extension of the Langemyr goods terminal, but nothing has happened so far. Who is to blame is of no consequence as long as nothing is happening, says Mr. Hagen.
For Tollpost, moving goods from road to rail would have been ideal. It means less toxic waste, fewer queues on the roads and improved economy for all parties.
- It is of importance that local politicians now are contributing to putting a heavy pressure on the Government in order for Norway to carry out a long-term improvement of the railway, Mr. Hagen states.
Contact person:
Ole A. Hagen, Communications Manager, Tollpost Globe, mobile 0047-4132 8087
