NETWORK Rail’s key workers are enabling more than 400,000 of tonnes of vital medical supplies, food, fuel and consumer goods to be transported across Yorkshire each week.

A reduced passenger timetable was introduced last month so that a reliable service would remain in operation to get key workers, such as NHS staff, to work while allowing key freight trains to run to meet demand.

Freight being transported across Yorkshire each week includes:

• Around 100,000 tonnes of supplies, including food for supermarkets and medication.

• Around 12,000 tonnes of petroleum fuel, to make sure petrol is available at the pumps.

• 150,000 tonnes of sustainable biomass to keep Drax Power Station running so it can continue to supply the electricity that millions of UK homes and businesses rely on.

• 50,000 tonnes of materials and finished products for the steel industry.

• There are ten services per week which run overnight through Yorkshire on the East Coast Main Line, transporting letters and parcels for Royal Mail between Newcastle and London.

• Materials including sand, gravel and stone. Stone is used to make ballast, which supports the railway and means trains can run reliably.

• Waste transporting trains are used to safely move around 10,000 tonnes of household waste per week away from urban areas across Yorkshire. This helps to keep cities and towns in the region clean.

It has been possible to meet this demand thanks to dedication of Network Rail teams who have continued to work, as they are listed as key workers by the Government, and the help of passengers who have taken government advice to avoid all non-essential travel.

Network Rail is reminding passengers that only essential journeys should be made and key workers who do need to use the railway should continue to check before travelling by visiting www.nationalrail.co.uk or with their train operator.

Kevin Newman, senior route freight manager for Network Rail, said: “The railway plays a crucial part in keeping Britain running, particularly in these challenging times. Our teams are working hard to keep lines open for key workers, enabling vital freight services to run to keep shelves stocked and deliver vital medical equipment and to keep power stations going.

“We’ve been able to meet the demand thanks to the dedication of our key workers at Network Rail who have continued to keep services moving, and with the help of passengers who have followed government advice to only travel when it is essential.

“We are continuing to work closely with the government and transport partners to keep the railways open and keep Britain moving.”