Rail Minister urged to provide clarity as rail freight volumes rise 6%

In related news, the Department for Transport's Permanent Secretary Dame Bernadette Kelly wrote to the Public Accounts Committee on 27 February stating that, following Royal Assent of the Rail Reform bill, the Department will publish a long-term rail strategy. At an event in Parliament on 11 March, Rail Minister Lord Hendy affirmed the private sector’s role in rail.

Transport Chair Ruth Cadbury pledged scrutiny of upcoming legislation, while Shadow Transport Secretary Gareth Bacon urged clear protections for freight and open access operators in the Bill. Rail freight volumes rose by 6% to 4,065 million net tonne-kilometres in Q4 2024, according to Office of Rail and Road data released on 13 March.

Intermodal non-maritime and biomass shipments lead the growth categories and the period also saw the lowest freight delays in three years.

Ellis Shelton, Senior Policy Advisor, Logistics UK said: "The Transport Select Committee’s focus on ensuring the Rail Reform Bill includes clear statutory duties that safeguard and promote rail freight’s essential role in the UK economy is welcomed. Clarity on freight protections within Great British Railways’ (GBR) licensing framework is vital to providing long-term confidence for investment, growth and modal shift.

"The increase in rail freight volumes – up 6% in Q4 2024 – demonstrates the sector’s resilience and its ability to deliver economic and environmental benefits. With freight delays at their lowest in three years, it is clear that rail freight is a high-performing and reliable partner for industry and logistics.

"To maintain this momentum, the forthcoming long-term rail strategy must fully integrate freight growth ambitions, ensuring that the sector has the capacity, fair access and investment required to support UK supply chains and decarbonisation targets."