Rail Partners sets “ambitious growth target” for rail freight

Trebling the amount of rail freight can help rebalance and decarbonise a growing UK economy, says Rail Partners.

The trade body, representing independent passenger and freight operators, has set out proposals to make the target achievable.

Responding to the call for evidence by the Great British Railway (GBR) Transition Team's freight growth target, Rail Partners says the target would also increase the sector's contribution to ‘UK plc' to around £7.5 billion per year.

“Setting an ambitious growth target is key, supported by a wider policy framework to shift freight off the roads and onto the rails,” said Rail Partners CEO Andy Bagnall.

“The demand for rail freight is already here, as customers increasingly look towards rail as a sustainable, cost-effective and reliable way to get their goods to market.”

Rail Partners says the target should:

Be underpinned by five-year interim targets aligned with GBR's funding cycle.

Apply across the network and all commodities, reflecting the GB-wide nature of rail freight.

Be supported by policies such as expansion of the Mode Shift Revenue Support scheme and reintroduction of the Freight Facilities Grant.

The body recommends eight infrastructure projects to support growth alongside infill electrification for freight:

HS2 (including Golborne link alternative) to release capacity. Transpennine Route Upgrade Felixstowe to Nuneaton. upgrade.

Angerstein Wharf chord. Gauge enhancements: Syston-Trent, EaglescliffeNorthallerton, Didcot-Cardiff, Channel Tunnel to Wembley Yard.