UK Transport Minister shows faith in rail freight private sector

“I was told in parliament the other day that the rail freight companies are, quote, ‘not in the most organised shape to drive growth’ – and I disagree”, the UK Minister of Transport Peter Hendy said. At the unveiling of Freightliner’s new logo and loco, Hendy underlined the importance of private players and the need for more partnerships with the public sector. Speaking when intermodal operator Freightliner unveiled its new logo and locomotive 90 040 was re-named ‘The Railway Mission’ on 30 October, Hendy said he was “delighted that such an internationally respected owner” as shipping line CMA CGM had bought Freightliner, which “won’t have been done merely with hope for the future”.

Hendy said “we in government have a plan to help” the rail freight sector.

“The value of rail freight can’t be underestimated. It keeps goods moving, supply chains flowing and our economy turning. That’s why we’ve set an ambitious target for 40% rail freight growth by 2040, a step on the way to 75% growth by 2050,” he pointed out.

“The new Great British Railways will be duty-bound to support these targets and champion the role of rail freight, putting this industry at the heart of a reformed railway”, the Minister added.

This story was originally published by RailFreight.com. Read the full story at RailFreight.com →