Rail freight performs a critical economic and environmental function for Great Britain, transporting millions of tonnes of goods and materials around the country every year, and could be a vital tool in delivering the UK government’s missions. But the sector is facing significant pressures.

New analysis from Steer, commissioned by Rail Partners, shows that the cost of moving goods by rail has risen over three times faster than by road in the last decade, partly been driven by government policy. To secure rail freight growth, the widening gap between road and rail freight costs must be addressed.

Rail Partners' latest publication, A Greener Track: making rail freight cost effective sets out what is driving the increase, and the policy measures needed to grow rail freight.

Read more: Freight sector calls on government to supercharge rail freight growth to support delivery of the UK government’s national missions

Access the full analysis, and four key measures to support rail freight growth here.

Rail Partners and its founding members – the owning groups of passenger train companies – have taken the decision not to continue providing services after the end of this financial year.

Our trade body was established by its passenger owning group members following the 2021 Williams Plan for Rail, to help deliver a better railway for customers and taxpayers within the framework envisaged by the previous Government – a reinvigorated public-private partnership where Great British Railways would harness train companies to deliver services.

That vision has not materialised. Following the general election earlier this year, in contrast to the Williams Plan, the new government has instead legislated to nationalise DfT-contracted train operations – the vast majority of services in Britain. The Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill’s passage through the Houses of Parliament is almost complete and it will soon be receiving Royal Assent.

...