Tesco has launched its tenth rail freight service, aiming to transport an additional 31 million cases of goods annually across the UK, replacing lorry journeys with trains as part of its ongoing efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
The new service will move 600,000 cases of goods per week, reducing the number of road trips previously required to transport products between its distribution centres. The rail route, covering a 260-mile round trip between Daventry, Northamptonshire, and Widnes in the Northwest, will replace more than 90 lorry trips per week. Tesco estimates this will cut annual emissions by over 6,000 tonnes of CO2.
With the introduction of the tenth service, Tesco’s rail network will move more than six million cases per week, rising to over seven million during peak periods. The network now delivers goods to 198 stores nationwide, further expanding its reach.
The service, which Tesco describes as its largest to date, includes a final stage in which lorries collect goods from the train and deliver them directly to stores. By bringing goods closer to distribution points such as Trafford Park, Tesco aims to streamline the final leg of the delivery process.
In collaboration with rail operators Direct Rail Services (DRS) and Maritime, the new service will transport a mix of fresh and dry goods. The retailer also plans to work with its suppliers to ensure the return leg of the journey is utilised.
Suppliers using the new route include L’Oréal, AB World Foods, PZ Cussons, and Heinz. These companies will be transporting beauty, grocery, and household products, reducing their carbon emissions through the rail service.
Tesco CEO Ken Murphy said that the company’s distribution network is key to its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2035.
“Switching from road to rail allows us to get products to our stores in a more sustainable way, by removing thousands of lorry journeys each year and reducing our carbon emissions,” Murphy stated.
Heavy goods vehicles currently account for around 21% of the UK’s domestic transport emissions. The shift from road to rail is intended to play a significant role in reducing the environmental impact of moving goods.
In addition to expanding its rail services, Tesco is also optimising its road transport network. The company has introduced double-decker trailers, cutting the number of truck journeys by 40%, and has worked with suppliers to purchase transport for both legs of a journey, reducing vehicle use by 50%.
The new rail service will operate six days a week, from Monday to Saturday.