Network Rail, along with Lynemouth Power Ltd, Port of Tyne and GB Railfreight are working together to keep 450,000 homes across the UK lit through the coronavirus crisis.

Freight trains are keeping moving through the pandemic to keep supermarket shelves stocked, as well as transporting biomass to generate energy to keep the lights on.

Each week, more than 30,000 tonnes of wood pellets are transported from Port of Tyne to Lynemouth Power Station. The trains travel up the East Coast Mainline from Newcastle, before heading up the Ashington, Blyth and Tyne lines to get to the power stations.

The railway is vital in getting the biomass to the power station. Network Rail works around the clock to make sure the network can run reliably, which sees two GBRf trains running six to seven days a week depending on demand.

Kevin Newman, Senior Freight Manager, for Network Rail, said “The railway continues to play a key role during the Covid-19 crisis by keeping vital freight services moving, including deliveries of biomass enabling power to be generated for homes and businesses across the country. We’ve been able to meet demand thanks to the dedication of Network Rail teams who are working round the clock, as well as the close working partnership we have with Lynemouth Power, Port of Tyne and GBRF.”

Carl Hopper, Managing Director of Lynemouth Power Limited, commented “Collectively, all of our delivery partners play a significant part in the overall energy production process. Every one of them ensures that Lynemouth Power Station, part of a critical industry, can operate efficiently and with a ‘business as usual’ approach wherever possible despite the challenges the country now faces as a whole. Network Rail is a key part of our fuel logistics supply chain and provides an essential service transporting biomass wood pellets from the Port of Tyne up to Lynemouth Power Station. We will continue to work closely and collaboratively with them to ensure that we keep powering the country, and acknowledge the dedication and effort being made by their team at this time.”

Matt Beeton, Port of Tyne Chief Executive, said “The Port of Tyne plays a crucial role in supporting supply chains across the North East, and Britain as a whole. By working in partnership with Network Rail, Lynemouth Power and GBRF, we’re helping to keep Britain going during these unprecedented times.”

John Smith, GB Railfreight Managing Director, said: “GB Railfreight is delighted to be playing its part in supporting the UK’s response to the ongoing pandemic by helping to keep essential services running throughout the country. For example, we are transporting and delivering vital supplies of sustainable biomass to and from Lynemouth Power Station to the Port of Tyne, by doing so, we are playing our part to keep the lights on during this crisis. We will stop at nothing to ensure our locos continue to ship vital supplies right across the country and will be redoubling our efforts to ensure we keep the country going at this time of emergency.”

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