Government sets ambitious target to grow rail freight by at least 75 …
Even more vital goods will be transported across the UK by rail, following an ambitious target announced by Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, to grow rail freight by at least 75 percent.
From delivering food to supermarkets, to transporting building materials to construction sites, rail freight is a vital part of everyday life in the UK, carrying tens of billions of pounds worth of vital goods.
Not only does this target provide the sector with certainty by setting a clear pace for growth by 2050, but it will also lead to significant environmental benefits by taking lorries off our roads – slashing emissions and congestion in the process. For example, just one train can replace up to 129 HGVs, and a tonne of freight moved by rail produces about a quarter of the carbon emissions it does by road.
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Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “Rail freight helps keeps this country moving, ensuring our supermarket shelves are stocked and materials are supplied to our construction workers.
“Not only is it the most efficient and environmentally friendly way of transporting many goods, but it helps grow the economy across the country.
“This ambitious plan demonstrates this Government’s confidence in the rail freight sector, and I hope it encourages businesses to capitalise on the extra opportunities, so the industry continues to thrive and deliver for our country.”
Today’s announcement delivers on a commitment made by the Transport Secretary in his George Bradshaw address[1] earlier this year, along with fulfilling a commitment in the Department for Transport’s Plan for Rail[2] and Transport Decarbonisation Plan[3].
The target will encourage further private sector investment in projects that will grow and modernise the industry, such as GB Railfreight’s new state-of-the-art maintenance facility in Peterborough, which was officially opened by the Transport Secretary in September this year.
GBRTT’s Lead Director (interim) Rufus Boyd said: “The Government’s announcement today, for a rail freight growth target of at least 75 percent growth by 2050, supports what our customers and stakeholders told us in the national Call for Evidence. That setting a clear ambition for rail freight growth will help bring the sector together, focus minds, break down silos, and be a catalyst for private investment.
“Rail freight is already a big success story. Moving goods by rail is a greener option and helps cut road congestion, and what we have here is an opportunity to grow rail freight’s modal share. I am convinced that through collaborative working the industry can rise to this challenge.”
The Rail Freight Growth Target[4] also forms a key part of the government’s drive to improve the long-term capacity of the rail freight network. It says billions of pounds of redirected funding from HS2 is now further supporting schemes to improve rail infrastructure and services in all parts of the country.
Director General of the Rail Freight Group Maggie Simpson said: “We are delighted that Government has recognised the economic and environmental benefits of growing rail freight. This target sends a strong message about the benefits and potential of rail freight which will encourage investment by industry and private businesses and attract more customers to move their goods by rail.”
As recently announced through the Network North plan, the transformative Ely Area Capacity Enhancement scheme, backed by around £550 million of Government funding, will see an extra six freight trains per day to and from the Port of Felixstowe – the equivalent of taking 98,000 lorry journeys off the road every year.
The target has been set following a detailed call for evidence with industry leaders, customers and other stakeholders[5] by the Great British Railways Transition Team (GBRTT). Going forward, GBRTT’s recently formed Strategic Freight Unit[6] will spearhead strategic leadership in the freight sector, further unlocking the industry’s potential for growth.
Network Rail freight director Henry Bates said: “Rail freight has a key role to play in Britain’s economic and environmental wellbeing, keeping supermarkets stocked, builders building and medicine moving. We want to see more freight on rail and having a Government supported, long-term target will support the sector’s ambition to grow and attract investment.”
Reacting to the announcement, Chief Executive Officer of G&W UK/Europe, Tim Shoveller, said: “We welcome this target set by the government today but know we can do more. We look forward to working with Government and the wider industry in unlocking the policies that will ensure that the target is a floor and not a ceiling. Setting the target is the easy part, it is now crucial that we maintain the momentum by establishing a clear policy framework that will support the private sector investments that will be key for growth and to secure the significant modal shift to rail.”
Rail Partners chief executive, Andy Bagnall said: “Today’s announcement of a growth target for rail freight is a major step forward – the target will focus minds on the need to move goods in a more environmentally friendly way and give the sector more clarity to encourage investment.
“While the 75 percent level of the growth target is a good start, we will need to go further to really shift the dial of moving freight from road to rail – if rail freight simply maintained its market share, that would mean 60 percent growth by 2050. So, the sector will now continue to work with government to put in place the policies needed to achieve, and exceed, the target – essential if the UK is to decarbonise logistics supply chains and meet its net zero goals.”
John Smith, Chief Executive Officer at GB Railfreight, said: “Having a published rail freight growth target is a clear signal that the UK is committed to reducing carbon emissions and meeting its ambitions to be net zero by 2050. Our railways have long been the backbone of our economy and today’s announcement allows private companies like GB Railfreight to continue to invest in innovative technologies.
“Confidence in rail has recently been eroded and this target is a fantastic signal to companies up and down the country to consider rail to move vital goods up and down the country.”
Photo credit: Rail Freight Group
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References
- ^ George Bradshaw address (www.gov.uk)
- ^ Plan for Rail (www.gov.uk)
- ^ Transport Decarbonisation Plan (www.gov.uk)
- ^ Rail Freight Growth Target (www.gov.uk)
- ^ call for evidence with industry leaders, customers and other stakeholders (gbrtt.co.uk)
- ^ Strategic Freight Unit (gbrtt.co.uk)
- ^ Download article (news.railbusinessdaily.com)