Freight Strategy

2.3 The Local Context

The modal distribution of freight in Cornwall is broadly in line with national trends but within this, Cornwall has certain differences which affect the distribution of freight activity. Apart from china clay, there is no other individual major producer within the County. As in other regions, the majority of freight is moved by road. This is largely the distribution of goods and materials within the county and also the movement of consumer goods by lorry from the point of origin or distribution centre to retailers and end customers. Such movements, largely along single corridors, could provide opportunities for primary distribution by rail. In freight terms, there are coastal shipping and port options which are particularly well suited to the distribution of 'bulk freight' such as china clay and oil shipments in to Falmouth for 'bunkering'.

Road dominates the movement of freight in Cornwall, as it does nationally. All general distribution is carried out by road and most road freight journeys are within the South West Region. Where freight is also carried by rail and sea, road is often involved in part of the distribution chain. It is worth noting that without the 'bulk freight' of china clay by rail and sea, and oil being brought in to the port of Falmouth, the percentage of freight moved by road would be considerably higher than the 85% shown on Table 2.7.

2.3.1    Rail Freight in Cornwall

Rail freight activity in Cornwall is currently principally the movement of China clay traffic, which accounts for over 90% of rail freight in the County. Approximately half a million tonnes of china clay traffic was moved by rail in 2006, most of which goes to the Port of Fowey for the onward movement by sea. There are also longer distance rail movements of china clay to Exeter, Cliffe (Stoke-on- Trent) and Irving (South West Scotland). Other rail traffic in Cornwall includes Scrap metal from St. Blazey, oil from Penzance to St. Blazey  and a twice weekly “Enterprise” service.

Current business plans for the extraction of china clay may see a doubling of the total volume of china clay traffic carried by rail to 1 million tonnes, with a corresponding reduction in the proportion moved on road and consequent general relief for the network.

2.3.2    Waterborne & Air Freight in Cornwall

Coastal shipping through Cornish ports carries out a significant role in the movement of freight in the County. Again this is lead by china clay traffic, principally through Fowey which was the fourth most important port in the South West handling around 1.35 million tonnes per year. The County Council itself is an importer of goods at Fowey.  Each year, we import approximately five thousand tonnes of Rock Salt from Belfast for road salting. 

Falmouth currently handles around 0.36 million tonnes, mostly imported petroleum products, Par 0.1 million tonnes and Truro 23,000 tonnes.

Imerys’ future business plans include concentration on Fowey and possible sale of the port of Par. Schemes were earlier considered to develop Par for the movement of secondary aggregates, china clay waste, by coastal shipping to markets in London and the South East. The material would have been moved to the port by rail. Unfortunately, this plan did not come to fruition because of changes in the funding grants available at the time. Such an opportunity might remain valid and justify further review.

There are currently no measurable volumes of air freight being moved through the County’s airport at Newquay.and future freight movements are difficult to predict at this stage.

2.3.3    The Cornwall Policy Context

Cornwall Local Transport Plan 2006 (LTP2)

The LTP2 sets out the way ahead in transport terms for our partners, the wider public and Government.  As well as reflecting the changes in Government priorities and policies, it takes into account the social, economic and environmental issues specific to Cornwall.

The Cornwall Freight Strategy is a supporting strategy which has been created within the framework of Cornwall’s Local Transport Plan 2006-2011 (LTP2). Similarly, the Cornwall Freight Strategy provides a context for the Lorry Management Strategy which is also a supporting strategy of the Local Transport Plan.

The Cornwall Freight Strategy helps to support the following aims of the LTP2:

2.3.4    Local Development Frameworks

The District Councils will have a key role to play in helping to support the sustainable distribution of freight in the County.  Robust land use planning policies will enable the local authority to make planning decisions in favour of the freight industry. 

An example would be where the local authority or freight industry wishes to safeguard a site for use as a rail-freight interchange facility.   The key mechanism through which this will be carried out will be the Local Development Framework (LDF) process.

2.3.5    Freight Studies in Cornwall

In recent years, a number of studies have been undertaken to examine freight issues in the south west and Cornwall to inform policy documents and assess potential for rail freight transfer.

‘The Intermodal Freight Feasibility Study’ (2000); Colin Buchanan and Partners was undertaken to consider the provision of an intermodal facility in the County, as part of a broader south west review of rail related facilities. However, in May 2002, the South West Area Multi-Modal Study (SWARMMS) report carried out by Halcrow on behalf of the Government Office South West concluded that the potential market for intermodal rail in the South West was 'thin' and they did not consider the need for specific interchange facilities in Cornwall.

As a result of our concerns over this conclusion, we commissioned further specific studies with our partners to consider the intermodal issues, namely:

• ‘Camborne-Pool-Redruth Freight Feasibility Study’ (2003); Mott MacDonald.
• ‘Plymouth and East Cornwall Rail Freight Feasibility Study’ (2004); Victa RailFreight Ltd.

These studies have shown that there is potential for Cornwall to benefit from moving freight by rail, but realistically linked with the development of rail freight facilities in Plymouth which would establish a market on which further expansion in to Cornwall could prosper.

In our role as the Waste Disposal Authority in Cornwall,  we have commissioned the following key studies into the potential for moving waste by rail:

• ‘Waste by Rail Feasibility Study’ (2004); Capita Symonds.
• 'Moving Cornwall's Waste By Rail' (2005); Intermodality.

The assessment shows that it is technically feasible to move a substantial amount of Cornwall’s residual domestic waste by rail. However, the present financial implications of a transfer to rail mean that it is not feasible for the short to medium term. That said, it is extremely important that the site locations that would facilitate this are secured.

• Back to Top

• Previous
• Next