Rail Freight Group (RFG) today (9 December 2025) called on parliamentarians to support rail freight as the Railways Bill 2025 has its historic second reading in the House of Commons. Moving freight by rail supports every person in the UK, moving consumer and retail goods, construction materials for new homes and infrastructure and supporting energy […]
Scotland has long led the UK in championing rail freight, from pioneering a national growth target to investing in cleaner, more capable rail infrastructure. As the country accelerates towards a net-zero future, rail freight offers a vital, low-carbon link between industry, communities and Scotland’s emerging green energy hubs. This manifesto and policy document sets out […]
Wales is home to a dynamic and strategically vital rail freight network, connecting its ports, industrial centres and rural communities with the rest of the UK. From the busy South Wales Main Line to the North Wales coast and the Cambrian corridors, rail freight keeps essential goods moving efficiently and sustainably. As major industries transition […]
The Rail Freight Group (RFG) is pleased to announce the launch of its 2026 Cross-Member Mentoring Programme, designed to support skills development, knowledge-sharing and personal growth across the rail freight sector. The programme pairs participants from different RFG member organisations for a year-long mentoring relationship, meeting virtually or in person between 6–12 times in 2026. […]
The November 2025 edition of RFG News, the Rail Freight Group’s regular newsletter, has now been published. Download your copy here! Inside this edition, you’ll find: A landmark moment for rail reform: the Government introduces the new Railways Bill, setting out the creation of Great British Railways and a statutory duty to grow rail freight, […]
With the Group AGM and Autumn meeting held in Northampton this year (12 November), there was a focus on the new Northampton Gateway Terminal and rail network and services through the central England region for the first part of the meeting. James Tierney of Maritime Logistics outlined the challenges of making shorthaul rail competitive against […]
Rail Freight Group (RFG) has appointed Ralph Goldney to its Board and confirmed the re-appointment of Richard Hastings, further strengthening its breadth of expertise and industry insight. Ralph Goldney of Railfreight Consulting was formally elected to the Board for the first time at RFG’s Annual General Meeting yesterday, 12 November 2025, held at Northampton Gateway […]
Commenting on the publication of the Railways Bill, Maggie Simpson OBE, RFG Director General, said: “We welcome the commitments for a statutory duty to promote freight, and the requirement for a freight growth target to be set by the Secretary of State. These are essential to ensuring rail freight will be a success under Great […]
Transport Scotland’s major new report, “Connecting Scotland – The Value of Transport,” makes a compelling case for recognising transport as fundamental to economic prosperity. For the rail freight sector, the document provides valuable evidence of transport’s economic significance, though it also highlights how freight—and rail freight particularly—remains undervalued in policy discussions. The report establishes transport’s […]
The launch of Great British Railways (GBR) and the establishment of more regional and city authorities were topics raised throughout the day at the 2025 Rail Freight Group Conference. Both speakers and attendees agreed that these developments created both opportunities and challenges for the rail freight industry. Lord Hendy, Minister of State for Rail, speaking […]
