Whisky distilleries urged to take the train

GOING on the wagon could have a new meaning for Scotland's whisky industry - with moves to transfer road freight onto the railways.

A new report calls for fresh investment to help shift the valuable cargo from lorries, particularly in the Highlands where 77 of Scotland's 99 malt whisky distilleries are located.

A study for transport partnership Hitrans estimates that whisky production generates more than 137,000 goods vehicle trips a year - 377 a day - on the A95 and A941 roads in Speyside.Another 47,000 trips a year - 129 a day - occur on the A9 south of Aviemore, a total of 184,000 countrywide.

Whisky contributes 2.7 billion to Scotland's economy and supports about 35,000 jobs.

A 10 per cent growth in production would result in a further 19,000 goods vehicles a year on Highlands and Islands roads.

Hitrans says moving whisky onto the railways could reduce road traffic and help the industry save on fuel costs and cut its carbon footprint. It also suggests that the industry's reliance on roads could hold back growth in future.

It has been estimated that 11 per cent of the whisky industry's carbon emissions come from distribution. The report says while there is willingness from key players to consider the move to the railways, it would not be straightforward.

Due to the volumes required, there is a requirement for critical mass before rail becomes feasible. This would need the whole industry, or at least a number of major players, to get behind any proposals.

The report adds: "Given the geographical dispersion, volumes of movements and the current lack of alternative modes, the industry's reliance on the road network is understandable.

"This reliance could lead to constraints for future growth of the industry both in the short and long-term futures."

Frank Roach, Hitrans' partnership manager, said shifting from road to rail is in line with EC policy to reduce transport greenhouse gases by 60 per cent by 2050, with 30 per cent of road traffic shifting to rail and sea by 2030.

"Although it's been spoken about in the past, this is the first step towards making something happen."

In its environmental strategy report in 2009, the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) said it aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.It pledged that by 2020 it will ensure that 20 per cent of the industry's primary energy requirements will be derived from non-fossil fuel sources, with a target of 80 per cent by 2050.

A SWA spokeswoman said: "We have been looking at the viability of shifting some whisky-related freight from road to rail and the industry recognises the environmental benefits identified by Hitrans."