UK sets 40% rail freight growth target by 2040 under GBR

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The UK government has set a target to increase rail freight by at least 40% by 2040, placing Great British Railways at the centre of plans to move more cargo by train and strengthen domestic supply chains.

The target, announced on September 8, is intended as the first milestone towards increasing rail freight by at least 75% by 2050. The government estimates that reaching the 2040 target could result in around £15 billion more goods being transported by rail each year.

Rail freight currently carries goods worth almost £34 billion annually to the UK economy.

Construction materials are expected to account for a significant share of the additional volumes.

Network Rail estimates that meeting the target could increase rail movements of construction materials by 45%. Transport of other goods, including cars, wine, household appliances and medicines, could rise by around two thirds.

A single freight train can carry enough construction material to build approximately 30 homes, according to government figures.

The shift would also have implications for road freight capacity and emissions. Moving the additional cargo by rail instead of road could save as much as one million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the target was intended to provide the freight industry with greater certainty when making investment decisions.

“Our new target gives the rail freight industry the certainty it needs to invest, helping businesses move more products, deliver the materials needed to build new homes and infrastructure and support jobs across the country,” Alexander said.

The announcement comes as the Railways Bill, which establishes Great British Railways, moves through the House of Lords.

Under the legislation, GBR will receive strategic oversight of network access and two specific duties supporting freight growth.

A dedicated member of the GBR board will also be responsible for freight, placing cargo operators and their customers directly within the organisation’s decision making structure.

The challenge will be turning those statutory responsibilities into train paths and usable network capacity. Passenger and freight services compete for space across some of Britain’s busiest rail corridors, making infrastructure access an important factor in whether operators can add services.

Network Rail Chief Executive Jeremy Westlake said increasing freight’s share would support economic growth while reducing road congestion and emissions.

“Increasing the role of freight on the railway is not just good for economic growth; it reduces congestion on our roads, cuts carbon emissions and supports our ambition to build a cleaner, more resilient transport system,” Westlake said.

Rail Freight Group Director General Maggie Simpson OBE welcomed the government’s commitment, saying the industry sees further opportunities to shift cargo onto rail.

“There are huge opportunities for moving more goods by rail and the sector stands ready to fulfil government’s bold targets for growth,” Simpson said.

For freight operators, terminals, ports and cargo owners, the 40% target creates a measurable benchmark against which future infrastructure investment and network capacity decisions can be judged as GBR takes control of Britain’s railway system.

^{Source: Gov.UK}