The Co-operative is looking at rolling out its rail freight services throughout Scotland and the South West of England, after doubling its use of rail over the past three years.
More than a quarter of its produce between Coventry and Scotland is now being transported by rail.
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One of the Co-op’s new containers
Its daily service carries some 21 containers a week, between Daventry and the rail freight terminal at Mossend.
“The rail freight initiative has been a big success for The Co-operative – taking increasing lorry loads off the road and radically reducing our carbon emissions,” said Mark Leonard, head of supply chain logistics service.
The Co-operative reckons it the move to rail has cut CO2 emissions by 500 tonnes a year.
“Combating climate change is a key priority for us, and logistics has a major role to play in reducing its CO2 emissions,” said Leonard.
The Co-op has now created a blueprint for potentially expanding the service. It has also introduced a number of new branded containers to the rail freight network.
