Prominent CILT members are among the main speakers at the first RailFreight Summit UK, at MediaCityUK in Salford, Greater Manchester, 7 April, with a theme of rail freight in a growing market.

Chris Swan, David Cross and Mike Garratt are all on stage at the Digital Innovations Theatre, at the University of Salford, in MediaCityUK, the suitably futuristic heart of the Salford Quays regenerations project. 

The Summit host, Simon Walton, UK Correspondent for RailFreight.com, said the Summit was there to bring together experience and ideas for a sector that is about to emerge as a key economic driver for the UK. “Anyone who doubts the potential for rail freight need only remind themselves of some key statistics,” he said. “Less than ten percent of Britain’s goods by weight move by rail. Our congested roads carry more than eight times as much. Less than 700 freight trains daily take to Great Britain’s near ten thousand route miles, while passenger services number in the tens of thousands. With political, commercial and societal pressure to address economic and environmental imperatives, it will take only a very modest modal shift to hugely grow the market for rail freight.”

Giving the customers what they need is the subject for Chris Swan, Deputy Chair of the Institute’s Rail Freight Forum and Head of Rail at Tarmac. Chris will argue that the construction sector represents huge future opportunities for rail freight, and propose how to prime the pipeline.

Perhaps best known lately for championing the commercial virtues of IPort Rail Doncaster, active CILT member David Cross has found a specialism on inland port development. Recently engaged in the transformational expansion of Mossend International Railfreight Park in Scotland, David is sharing three decades of international experience at the Summit.

Mike Garratt is one of the best known names in the rail freight sector and familiar as a member of the Institute. Having founded MDS Transmodal, he’s built the Chester-based logistics and public policy consultancy into one of the most successful in the business, with projects in rail freight, road transport, ports and shipping sectors. 

With the BBC and Independent Television as next door neighbours, and the venue in the seat of learning that is the University of Salford, the spotlights will fall on the Summit. “The issues up for debate are of nationwide importance,” said Simon Walton. “It’s no accident that MediaCityUK is our venue. There are messages to get out, and RailFreight Summit UK is a platform for more than just the industry. We’re privileged to have a roster of speakers bolsters by key Institute members. I for one am looking forward to hearing their views and insights.”

The RailFreight Summit UK takes place on 7 April. CILT members have discounted delegate fees by using code: RFSUK10.