Initiatives in the field

01.04.2007

Alternative transport
Description
- Diversification of supply sources for a Group asphalt plant.
- Replacement of traditional road transport by alternative modes – water and rail.
- Synergies with sister subsidiaries:
- Materials from the CCM quarry,
- Rail freight transportation by Colas-Rail,
- Supply to an asphalt plant jointly owned by Screg Nord-Picardie and Colas Nord-Picardie.
Purpose
- Optimization of water and rail transport as a complement to road transport in order to guarantee the continuity of deliveries.
- Support to the Port of Lille (France’s 3rd-largest river port), but at the cost a minimum tonnage guaranteed by waterway (penalties applied below 50,000 metric tons).
Benefits for the community: reduced air emissions, reduced fuel consumption, reduced traffic and road transport-related hazards on a congested road network.
Key figures:
- May 21, 2008: first freight train dispatched from the CCM quarry.
- 1 train per week transporting 1,300 metric tons.
- In 2008, 100,000 metric tons of materials transported by rail or water.
- Each freight train replaces 50 truck, and each barge 40.