Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to take steps to increase the amount of freight transported by rail.

The Government recognises that the economic and environmental potential of rail freight is significant and is committed to supporting its growth.

There will be a statutory duty on Great British Railways to promote the use of rail freight and there will be an overall rail freight growth target set by the Secretary of State, with clear and meaningful targets for rail freight growth within pre-defined periods.