France to utilize 'railway highways' in achieving greener economy

France will develop "railway highways" to carry food and other goods to minimize the delivery by trucks to reduce the country's carbon footprint.

According to French Prime Minister Jean Castex, a "fresh food train" linking Paris to Perpignan would reopen after that line was closed last year.

The line would eventually be connected to Antwerp and Barcelona.

He added that two national North to South lines would be launched.

Castex described the move as a powerful French government signal and the first step in railway freight's comeback.

Freight trains get to use the railway infrastructure for free this year, and their fees would be halved in 2021.

Railways account for just nine percent of France's freight market, compared with 45 percent in 1974.

The European average is 18 percent.

President Emmanuel Macron promised $17.63 billion of new funding in June for a greener economy.