Network Rail has announced that the railway across the South East of England is carrying thousands of tonnes of goods to support the economy through the Coronavirus crisis.

Last week, 381 freight trains transported goods, like fuel, food and medicine, across the Southern Region, carrying a total of 261,191 tonnes of freight.

The region covers the major port in Southampton and the Channel Tunnel in Kent.

As the coronavirus pandemic goes on, the priority is to keep vital supply routes, including the lines which service the major ports, open.

What is important to this goal is the need for frontline staff, such as signallers and maintenance teams. Without these, the railway cannot operate.

What did the officials say?

John Halsall, managing director for Network Rail Southern region, said:

“Rail freight is playing a vital role in supporting our economy as we continue to battle coronavirus.

“It is essential we keep freight services running so that goods can be delivered to supermarkets, power stations are fuelled and crucial upgrades on the rail network continue so we can keep key workers moving.

“The railway’s own key workers, including signallers and maintenance teams, are working day in day out in this national effort to keep the rail network and support the country through this challenging time.”

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