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Rail Freight Growth
08 September 2026
Lead MP
Heidi Alexander
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
EconomyTransportBusiness & Trade
Other Contributors: 1
At a Glance
Heidi Alexander raised concerns about rail freight growth in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The Government is setting an additional target for rail freight growth, aiming for a 40% increase in freight moved by rail in net tonne kilometres by 2040, alongside a previous target of a 75% increase by 2050. The new target includes increases in High Value Goods (65%), Construction Goods (45%), and Critical Goods (7%). The Railways Bill aims to embed the duty to grow rail freight in the decision-making process of Great British Railways, enhancing supply chain resilience, economic growth, and decarbonisation, with an estimated increase in the value of goods moved by rail from £33.7bn to £49.5bn and a saving of a million tonnes of CO₂ per year compared to road transport.
Heidi Alexander
Lab
Lewisham East
The Government has set an additional target for rail freight to increase by at least 40% in net tonne kilometres by 2040, with potential increases in High Value Goods (65%), Construction Goods (45%), and Critical Goods (7%). This aligns with the previous target of a 75% increase by 2050 and aims to improve supply chain resilience, economic growth, and decarbonisation. The Railways Bill will ensure that the duty to grow rail freight is embedded in Great British Railways' decision-making.
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