The government today, 8 September 2026, announced a new target to increase rail freight by at least 40% by 2040. This is the first step towards a broader ambition of increasing rail freight by at least 75% by 2050.
Great British Railways will be responsible for delivering this growth, which aims to support British businesses, strengthen supply chains, and drive economic growth. The Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, stated that Great British Railways will have a clear mission to help grow the economy by moving more goods.
Meeting the 2040 target could result in approximately £15 billion more goods being moved by rail each year. This increase could also lead to a saving of up to one million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually compared to road transport.
The Railways Bill, which establishes Great British Railways, is beginning its committee stage in the House of Lords today. This bill will grant Great British Railways the necessary powers to achieve the new freight target, including strategic oversight of network access and two specific duties to support freight growth.