Home News Features Compliance

đź•’ Article read time: 2 minutes

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


The Transport Select Committee wrote to Rail Minister Lord Hendy on 12 March, questioning differences in GBR’s licensing between the draft Rail Reform Bill and consultation proposals, and seeking clarity on whether statutory duties on freight, accessibility, the environment and social and economic benefits will be included or how they will otherwise be promoted.

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."

Published On: 20/03/2025 14:29:08

 

Comments Section

If you are a Logistics UK member login to add comments.

There are no comments yet.



Latest articles

Logistics UK holds Parliamentary drop-in

On 30 April, Logistics UK hosted a drop in Parliament for MPs and peers alongside colleagues from DHL and SEGRO, kindly sponsored by Phil Brickell MP.

Read time: 2 minutes

View article

Logistics UK calls for ongoing ambitious partnership ahead of UK and EU May Summit

The UK and EU has set out a new “strategic partnership” that aims to increase trade and offer a united European front, the Guardian reported on 29 April.

Read time: 2 minutes

View article

Northern Ireland Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins MLA meets with Logistics UK

Logistics UK and a delegation from the business group’s Northern Ireland Freight Council met with Northern Ireland Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins MLA on Wednesday 30 April to highlight the value of the logistics sector to Northern Ireland and ensure the sector is prioritised by policymakers at the highest level.

Read time: 2 minutes

View article

Next page

Water and Shippers Council visit the Port of Dover

E-news archive

You can also view our e-news archive here.

E-news archive

Interested in Membership?

Get in contact using the Membership Enquiry Form.

Membership Enquiry Form

Logistics Magazine Portal

The hub for finding relevant and informative features, news & compliance guides from Logistics Magazine

Logistics Magazine Portal Home

Sponsorship Opportunities

Learn more about advertising on the new digital Logistics Magazine, with a variety of advert options to reach 30,000 relevant readers.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Magazine Contents

News

Logistics Magazine will cover all the latest news on stories breaking in the industry, including developments on COVID-19,  Brexit, Clean Air Zones, transport law and decarbonisation.

News

Features

Our frequent features will tackle the broader issues affecting logistics such as the COVID-19 vaccination programme, technology and innovation, the political and economic landscape, global trade and the drive to reduce emissions across all transport modes.

Features

Compliance

Each month we explore a different topic in depth in our popular Compliance section, while each week we will publish answers put to our Member Advice Centre team.

Compliance

View Supplements and Previous Printed Editions

View Supplements and previous printed editions of Logistics Magazine here.

Previous