Rail-freight demand

The Rail Freight Group and Freight Transport Association have published forecasts that suggest the demand for rail freight will double by 2030.

The Rail Freight Group (RFG) and Freight Transport Association (FTA) have published forecasts that suggest the demand for rail freight will double by 2030.

The forecasts show a 30 per cent increase in tons per km between 2006 and 2015, with this figure more than doubling by 2030. However, the growth in intermodal traffic is forecast to be much higher, more than doubling by 2015 with a five-fold increase by 2030.

This reflects continuing expansion of trade from continental Europe and beyond, plus a significant use of rail to and from new rail-connected warehouses.

The figures update 2006 forecasts and have been produced using the GB Freight Model used by the Department of Transport.

The rail freight industry, operators and customers were also consulted and support the findings.

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