8 September 2026
Luke Myer MP has welcomed new plans from the Labour Government to grow rail freight by at least 40% by 2040, after pressing Ministers to improve freight links serving Teesside.
The new target announced today will be written into the Government’s rail reforms, with the new publicly-owned Great British Railways given specific responsibilities to support freight growth. Luke voted for GB Railways, while the Conservatives voted against it.
Rail freight already moves almost £34 billion of goods around Britain each year, and the Labour Government estimates hitting the new target could increase that to around £49.5 billion, strengthening British supply chains while taking more heavy goods traffic off the roads.
The announcement follows Luke’s push for improvements to the rail network serving Teesport. In a Parliamentary debate in June, Luke highlighted that freight travelling between Teesport and the East Coast Main Line currently has to travel via Darlington because the Northallerton to Eaglescliffe route lacks full W12 gauge clearance. Luke told Ministers at the time that Teesport was “one of the country’s most important freight gateways” and secured a commitment for the issue to be followed up with the Rail Minister.
Luke has also brought the Rail Freight Group together with Government officials in Parliament, to support growing Teesside industries.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:
“Great British Railways will have a clear mission to help grow our economy by moving more of the goods British businesses rely on.
“Our new target gives the rail freight industry the certainty it needs to invest, helping businesses move more products, deliver the materials needed to build new homes and infrastructure and support jobs across the country.”
Maggie Simpson OBE, Director General of the Rail Freight Group, said:
“We welcome this announcement as a further signal of government’s commitment to growing rail freight.
“There are huge opportunities for moving more goods by rail and the sector stands ready to fulfil government’s bold targets for growth, making an even stronger contribution to the nation’s productivity, development and resilience.”
Luke Myer MP said:
“Teesport is one of Britain’s most important freight gateways, so growing rail freight nationally has to go hand-in-hand with investing in the infrastructure needed to unlock Teesside’s potential.
“This new 40% target is a welcome statement of ambition. Now I want to see Teesside get the upgrades we need to help deliver it – supporting our port, strengthening our industries and getting more freight off our roads and onto rail.”