900 job cuts to be made at rail freight firm DB Cargo UK

DB Cargo, the German-owned rail freight company, is set to cut 900 jobs in the UK.

The company, which has its UK headquarters in Doncaster, announced that the job losses were a result of a “dramatic decline” in its core markets such as coal and steel.

The job cuts would represent almost 30% of DB Cargo UK’s workforce.

Hans-Georg Werner, chief executive of DB Cargo UK, said: “Responsible and successful businesses must evolve and reshape as their markets change, and sometimes this means making tough decisions.

“Whilst this is a difficult time for all of us at DB Cargo UK, reshaping the company will enable us to build a business for the future and protect the majority of jobs.

“We are fully committed to supporting colleagues who may be at risk of redundancy.

“We firmly believe in the future of rail freight in the UK. Our motorways and roads are becoming more congested and rail offers fast and clean supply chain solutions.

“Our new business strategy will ensure we are a perfect logistics partner of choice for customers across all sectors – including construction, automotive and intermodal [using different transport methods] – long into the future.”

DB Cargo is the UK’s largest rail freight haulier and employs around 3,400 people across the country.

Responding to the news, Mick Cash, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union, said: “This is devastating news brought on through a combination of cut-throat practices in the UK rail freight industry and a shocking lack of Government support for this key section of our transport infrastructure.

“It is imperative right now that the Government intervene to save skilled jobs in the rail freight industry which are being butchered before their eyes due to a lack of action to protect steel, coal and the rest of our manufacturing base.”