The government’s consultation on rail reform announced today (18 February 2025), promises legislation to “put passengers first”, but in doing so, the vital role of rail freight in supporting the UK economy must not be overlooked, says Logistics UK. According to the trade body, one of the UK’s biggest business groups, rail freight is critical for helping the UK meet its sustainable transport goals and rail freight operators must be given appropriate access to the network to boost economic growth and meet the government’s rail freight growth targets. Logistics UK is urging Great British Railways (GBR) to produce an annual report, for scrutiny by parliament and the regulator, setting out what measures it is taking to protect fair access to the rail network and deliver rail freight growth.
Responding to the launch of the consultation, Logistics UK Senior Policy Advisor – Rail, Ellis Shelton explains why:
“The Railways Bill must include robust mechanisms to protect fair access for freight operators and grow rail freight. We will be scrutinising the government’s plans carefully in this consultation as, if measures for freight are lacking, Great British Railways will not be able to meet its obligations to promote rail freight and the government will not be able to achieve its rail freight growth target.
“Unlocking the full potential of the railways, including for freight, is essential to growing the economy and getting goods moving in the most productive, strategic and green way. While a unified and simplified rail system could deliver significant benefits for the freight and logistics sector, there is always risk that the government’s and GBR’s plans for passengers and freight shift out of balance, squeezing freight off rail, harming economic growth and emissions reduction plans.
“As well as GBR bringing forward measures to directly support freight and the infrastructure enhancements it requires, it is vital that it considers the impact its decisions will have on rail freight when making decisions for the whole railway. We are therefore calling for GBR to produce an annual report, for Parliamentary scrutiny and the scrutiny of the regulator, setting out its measures to protect fair access to the rail network and deliver rail freight growth. This report should set out how GBR is working with the logistics sector and other parts of the UK government, English regions and devolved governments to achieve this.”
