R A I LT R AC K - The Railways Archive

Environmental commitments
First, over the coming year, we will be expanding upon
opportunities to improve and underpin the integration of
transport with the bus operators,local authorities,the
Highways Agency, airport authorities and passenger groups,
and we look forward to support from the Shadow Strategic
Rail Authority in delivering the benefits.
Second, we are evaluating various approaches to
identify and quantify social and environmental benefits of
investment proposals.These have been applied,on a
preliminary basis,to some of the investments put forward in
Section 6.
Third, much of our investment has environmental
impacts in terms of land use, the raw materials it consumes,
the waste it produces,and the disruption it causes while the
work is in progress. We are seeking to identify these factors
and limit them,both at this early planning stage, and in the
later construction and operation phases.An example of this
is the West Coast Route Modernisation,where
environmental issues have been considered from the outset.
The project will continue to be assessed through
environmental impact studies and extensive consultation
exercises.
Fourth, we are enhancing our stewardship activities as
one of the largest landowners and largest private sector
investors in Britain through setting,monitoring and reporting
on environmental targets annually. Following on from last
year’s Corporate Responsibility Revie w, we will report publicly
on our progress and new objectives in the summer.
Fifth, we are integrating environmental management
into the day-to-day operation of the business,incorporating
our environmental targets into business planning. Targets
include increasing environmental awareness among our staff,
and improving control in supply chain management.
Last, we are entering into partnerships with our
stakeholders to promote environmental improvement.For
example, we have joined forces with the Tidy Britain Group
to identify best practice in limiting the visual impact of the
lineside. We are also introducing a joint initiative with English
Welsh & Scottish Railway in April,to minimise the emission
of carbon dioxide from stationary locomotives.
At the same time, we have looked for opportunities to
deliver environmental benefits to our customers and the
public where our investment can promote a shift from road
to rail for passengers and freight.This work puts us at the
heart of both UK and international efforts to achieve what
society is now demanding – real progress towards
sustainability and high standards of environmental protection.
This work puts us
at the heart of both
UK and international
efforts to achieve...
real progress towards
sustainability and high
standards of
environmental
protection
45