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New Malcolm Group Rail Freight Terminal at Grangemouth moves 10,000 lorry journeys from Road to Rail

A new state-of-the-art freight terminal utilising road and rail networks is providing a high-speed overnight transport service between Scotland and England while at the same time taking the equivalent of more than 10,000 lorry journeys a year off congested motorways.

The £2.75 million complex, built for The Malcolm Group at Fouldubs, Grangemouth, was opened this morning (Monday, April 15th) by Wendy Alexander MSP, Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning.

Freight trains are now running regularly between Grangemouth and the company's other road-rail complex at Crick, near Rugby (part of the Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal). The north-south link is part of a major strategy decision by The Malcolm Group to move more freight from road to rail, minimising the effects of fuel costs as well as helping to cut down levels of pollution and reduce congestion on roads and motorways.

The rail link, which started operations with two trains northbound and two southbound, has proved such a success with clients, that, beginning next month there will be 12 trains weekly, six northbound, six southbound. Each train is the equivalent of between 16-20 heavy lorry loads - and this would mean more than 10,000 lorry loads removed from the roads each year.

The Transport Minister was greeted on her arrival by Sir Donald Mackay, Chairman of The Malcolm Group, and Chief Executive Andrew Malcolm.

Andrew Malcolm told the Minister and invited guests: "We are keen to transport more of our goods by rail and by later this year at least 10 per cent of our cargoes will go this way. There is absolutely no conflict in mixing road and rail transport, indeed, one complements the other."

"The mixture of road and rail is cost effective, reduces the number of lorries on the road, eases congestion and cuts down pollution. It is a quality and cost-effective service which more and more of our customers find appealing."

I would like to thank Direct Rail Services who provide the engines and crews to run between our terminals, and United Glass and GUDV, two of our most valued customers, whose products we now transport regularly by this method."

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