Source · Select Committees · Transport Committee
Recommendation 25
25
Accepted in Part
Paragraph: 103
The Department for Transport should publish a rail freight strategy for the country setting out...
Recommendation
The Department for Transport should publish a rail freight strategy for the country setting out key plans, targets and milestones over a 30-year period. This should include a detailed assessment of how the IRP will achieve greater capacity for and use of rail freight.
Government Response Summary
The government partially accepts the recommendation, stating that they are working with the Great British Railways Transition Team to develop the Long-Term Strategy for Rail which will include a focus on opportunities for freight and set a long-term rail freight growth target later this year.
Paragraph Reference:
103
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
The Government partially accepts this recommendation. As referenced in the Plan for Rail, the Department is working with the Great British Railways Transition Team to develop the Long-Term Strategy for Rail which will include a focus on opportunities for freight. The Government fully recognises the advantages to the economy, environment and society of shifting freight from road to rail, with rail being one of the most carbon efficient ways of moving goods over long distances. This includes, for example, delivering additional capacity and increased loading gauge clearance through the Transpennine Route Upgrade which will enable substantial rail freight growth East-West across the North of England. HS2 will also free up capacity on the WCML that could be used to run more freight trains. The Secretary of State made clear in his February Bradshaw address that we cannot overstate rail freight’s untapped potential for green growth. That is why a new Strategic Freight Unit has already been created within Great British Railways, tasked with creating better safeguards and more national coordination and acting as the guiding mind for rail freight to provide strategic leadership unlock opportunities for growth. Further, the Government will, later this year set a long-term rail freight growth target which is intended to provide confidence in the industry well into the future.