| 2011 | 2010 | |
| Share of aggregates by rail | 9.6% | 9.3% |
| Share of cement by rail | 17.5% | 17.0% |
| Average aggregates road delivery | 43.3km | 45.7km |
| Average aggregates road load | 20.0 tonnes | 22.1 tonnes |
| Marine aggregate landings for construction | 11.2m tonnes | 9.3m tonnes |
The industry continues to make use of road, rail and water transport where it is practical to do so. Some 13.5 million tonnes of aggregates and nearly two million tonnes of cement were transported by rail in 2009. Delivery of some 9.6 million tonnes of marine dredged aggregates to wharves close to major markets such as Central London reduces the need for longer distance lorry movements into these markets.
The fact that mineral products are ultimately used at tens of thousands of construction sites throughout the UK means that road will always be the main mode of delivery. MPA has again been working with the Carbon Trust to identify and prioritise initiatives with the potential to improve delivery efficiencies and minimise energy consumption and emissions. Minimising carbon emissions associated with material deliveries is also a key element of the targets for the construction sector set out in the Sustainable Construction Strategy. MPA is playing a leading role in developing initiatives to focus the construction supply chain on reduicing emissions associated with material deliveries.
MPA is also working with industry training provider the Mineral Products Qualifications Council (MPQC) to expand the scope of the industry’s Drivers' Skills initiative and increase awareness of safety issues. To date, over 26,000 drivers have attended such courses which are now approved options for the drivers’ Certificate of Professional Competence and MPQC will be a significant deliverer of CPC training to help improve safety and fuel efficiency.