Rail freight keeps UK moving, says Logistics UK

Latest government figures demonstrate beneficial impact to economy of using rail to transport goods, business group says

Train Line Latest figures from the Government’s Office for Rail and Road (ORR) demonstrate the key role that rail can play in driving economic growth and increased productivity, according to business group Logistics UK. The volume of freight moved by rail increased by 7 per cent year-on-year in the quarter April-June 2024, Logistics UK said.

Ellis Shelton, senior policy advisor at Logistics UK, said the reliability of the rail freight sector, which saw cancellations and lateness at their lowest level for three years for the April-June period, means different sectors of the economy can be certain of receiving deliveries on time. “We hope that more businesses across the economy will recognise the value that using rail can bring to keep the country moving in order to generate growth for all,” she said. Logistics UK is one of the UK’s leading business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods.

With decarbonisation, Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc.

Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, sea and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods.