Great British Railways given new target to increase rail freight by 40% by 2040
The government has set a new target for Great British Railways (GBR) to increase the amount of freight moved by rail by at least 40% by 2040, as part of plans to strengthen supply chains and support economic growth.
image: GB Railfreight
The target, announced by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, represents an interim milestone towards the government's existing ambition of increasing rail freight by at least 75% by 2050. The targets are measured in net tonne kilometres.
The Department for Transport estimates that achieving the 2040 target could increase the value of goods moved by rail from £33.7bn to £49.5bn a year.
The government has also set expectations for growth in specific freight markets by 2040, including a 65% increase in high-value goods, a 45% increase in construction goods and a 7% increase in critical goods.
According to the government, shifting more freight from road to rail could save around one million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year, while also reducing pressure on the road network.
The Railways Bill, currently progressing through Parliament, would give GBR a statutory duty to support rail freight growth. GBR will have strategic oversight of network access and will be expected to work with freight operators to identify additional capacity and support investment.
A dedicated member of the GBR board will also have responsibility for freight, with the government saying this will ensure the needs of freight operators and their customers are reflected in the organisation's decision-making.
Network Rail chief executive Jeremy Westlake said the target demonstrated the importance of rail freight to the UK economy, while Rail Freight Group director general Maggie Simpson said the sector welcomed the announcement and was ready to support the government's growth ambitions.
The announcement comes as the government continues preparations for GBR, which is intended to bring together responsibility for infrastructure and passenger services under a single organisation. The Railways Bill is currently at committee stage in the House of Lords.