Despite the Coronavirus epidemic and lockdown, teams at GB Railfreight (GBRf) are continuing to work closely with Drax power station to maintain supplies of the sustainable biomass it needs to generate electricity needed by millions of homes and business.
After severe storms and flooding in the area near Drax in February resulted in damage to the rail tracks, GBRf has been working closely with Drax to reschedule rail deliveries and maximise capacity on the rail link while the repairs are completed. Rail planners worked with train drivers, signal controllers, Network Rail train marshals and Drax logistics specialists to develop new timetables and restore flows of sustainable biomass to the power station.
John Smith, managing director of GB Railfreight, said: “GB Railfreight is playing its part in supporting the UK’s Covid-19 response by helping to keep essential services running across the country. Our partnership with Drax Power Station in Yorkshire is proof of this. We are delivering vital supplies of sustainable biomass which are transported across the country by rail to Drax, which supplies five percent of the UK’s electricity needs.
“GB Railfreight stops at nothing to get vital supplies from one part of the country to the other – as we saw during the recent floods near Drax. We will be redoubling our efforts to ensure we keep the country going during these trying times.”
Nick King, group director of Network Services for Network Rail, said: “The railway plays a crucial part in keeping Britain running, particularly in these challenging times and strong teamwork across the rail industry is absolutely key in keeping freight services moving.
“Recent flooding in this area brought additional challenges to keeping services moving, however the hard work and dedication of our people has meant that vital supplies of sustainable biomass have continued to be transported.”
