The Rail Freight Group (RFG) has published a new report, ‘Freight Forward’, highlighting the vital contribution rail freight makes to the UK economy and wider society, and setting out the actions needed to unlock future growth.
The report explores key themes including decarbonisation, community impact, resilience and rail reform, highlighting how rail freight can support the UK’s Net Zero ambitions while strengthening supply chains and delivering for businesses and communities.
Decarbonisation remains a central focus, with the report outlining progress in expanding electric traction and developing new technologies to reduce emissions across the sector. Rail freight continues to offer a lower-carbon alternative to road, supporting the government’s Net Zero Strategy.
Freight Forward also underlines the essential role rail freight plays in everyday life, enabling the efficient movement of goods across the country. Case studies include the distribution of millions of tonnes of food to supermarkets such as Tesco, and the export of vehicles, including Toyota cars, to European markets.
The report highlights the importance of rail freight in enhancing resilience, particularly as the UK seeks to strengthen domestic supply chains. The movement of critical materials, including minerals such as lithium, by rail can reduce reliance on volatile global markets while supporting emerging industries.
As Great British Railways (GBR) comes closer to fruition, this report makes it clear that the transition and its final structure must champion rail freight, particularly in terms of capacity and capability. This can only be achieved through collaboration among mayoral authorities, devolved and central government bodies, and relevant rail-sector stakeholders.
With rail reform progressing and the establishment of GBR on the horizon, RFG emphasises that freight must be fully embedded within future structures. This includes ensuring sufficient network capacity and capability, supported by collaboration between government, devolved authorities and industry stakeholders.
The report concludes that prioritising rail freight will be essential to achieving the government’s target of growing the sector by 75% by 2050.
Maggie Simpson OBE, Director General of the Rail Freight Group, said: “Freight Forward highlights the significant opportunity for rail freight to support economic growth, strengthen resilience and deliver on the UK’s decarbonisation ambitions. With the right policy framework and investment, rail freight can play an even greater role in supporting businesses and communities across the country. We look forward to working with government and industry partners to ensure the sector can realise its full potential.”
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