Sustainability Committee

Inquiry into Carbon Reduction in Wales: Carbon Reduction by Transport

Response from Arriva Trains Wales

Mick Bates
Sustainability Committee
National Assembly for Wales
Assembly Offices
Cardiff Bay
Cardiff
CF99 1NA
12 November 2007

Dear Mr Bates

Re Carbon Reduction in Wales

Thank you for your correspondence dated 28 September 2007. Whilst I had sought to address those questions that were relevant to Arriva Trains Wales individually, it is probably more appropriate, that I provide a brief commentary as it relates to transport emissions of carbon dioxide and this Company.

There are a number of particular challenges for the rail industry in reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Specifically, for this Train Operating Company, we are wholly dependent on diesel and there are no electrified lines within our network. As part of the Association of Train Operating Companies’ (ATOC) initiative, we participated in trialling Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel in 2006. The process is not yet complete in so far as ATOC’s project is concerned.

Another ATOC initiative which is ongoing with other Train Operating Companies is the use of bio-diesel, however there are concerns that anything greater than a B5% proportion in the fuel would have an adverse effect on engine performance for our trains.

In conclusion, I would also refer to the detail included within the Institute of Welsh Affairs document, "Time to Deliver - The Third Term and Beyond”. Arriva Trains Wales participated in compiling this document and I believe that it may contain useful information for the Committee to consider. I hope that this provides you with a useful response in so far as the context of your letter is concerned but, if you require any further information, please do not hesitate in contacting me.

Yours sincerely

Michael Hurley
Head of Franchise & Stakeholder Management