The government must ensure the needs of the logistics industry are not side-lined in its reform of the rail network, according to Logistics UK. The business group is urging the government to safeguard opportunities for rail freight as it seeks to make fundamental changes to rail passenger contracting and operations.

Zoe McLernon, Policy Manager of Multimodal at Logistics UK, comments: “Rail freight has played a vital role in supporting the UK economy and society through the COVID-19 pandemic; now, as business focuses on economic recovery and decarbonised transport operations, it is vital that we create the right environment for rail freight to thrive.

“At Logistics UK, we are urging the government to ensure the needs of this critical sector are not side-lined in any political discussion on rail – which tend to prioritise passenger transport –  and, instead,  recognise that freight is an equally important part of the rail network’s contribution to economic growth. We are asking that rail freight operators are granted fair, equal access to the network, and that freight paths are preserved; government must provide the right framework for its use to grow.”

Logistics UK (formerly FTA) is one of the UK’s leading business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With COVID-19, Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, sea and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods.