Tesco is set to take a further 31 million cases of goods off UK roads each year with the launch of its tenth rail service, which started this week on 1st October. The supermarket giant is strengthening its commitment to reducing carbon emissions by shifting a significant portion of its distribution from road to rail.
The new service, dubbed the latest ‘Tesco train’, will transport 600,000 cases of goods per week. These goods will move from Tesco’s main distribution hub in Daventry, Northamptonshire, to its regional distribution centre in Widnes, located in the northwest of England. This shift will eliminate over 90 lorry trips each week, reducing the number of vehicles making the 260-mile round-trip.
Tesco highlighted that the move will significantly reduce its road miles, cutting annual emissions by over 6,000 tonnes of CO2e. The train will carry a mix of fresh and dry goods and serve 198 Tesco stores. This initiative forms part of Tesco's broader goal to decarbonise its logistics operations.
Ken Murphy, Tesco Group Chief Executive, commented on the new rail service: “Tesco’s distribution network is one of the most extensive in the UK and plays an important role in our efforts to become carbon neutral in our own operations 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.”
Figures from Tesco show that heavy goods vehicles account for around 21% of the UK’s domestic transport emissions. By switching more of its distribution to rail, Tesco hopes to play a significant role in reducing the environmental impact of transporting goods across the country.
John Williams, Executive Chairman of Maritime Group, welcomed the launch: “We are pleased to welcome this important new service to our terminal in Manchester and continue supporting Tesco with ‘final-mile’ deliveries to its regional distribution centre and store locations in the northwest. Tesco’s largest service to date underlines the strategic role of our rail facility in Manchester as a hub for British trade, uniquely placed to offer fast, efficient, low carbon logistics for both international and domestic cargo.”
Tesco’s efforts to decarbonise its distribution network extend beyond this rail service. The supermarket is also working to optimise its road transport network by improving efficiency. Recent measures include introducing double-decker trailers, which have reduced truck journeys by 40%.
Additionally, Tesco has collaborated with its suppliers to streamline transport by aligning orders. This allows suppliers, who previously purchased one-way transport, to jointly buy both legs of the journey, cutting vehicle numbers for these trips by half.
Tesco’s ongoing work to reduce its carbon footprint demonstrates its commitment to sustainability and highlights the important role logistics innovation can play in tackling climate change.
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