Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following their decision to refuse permission for the building of the Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange, what plans they have to increase the volume of freight carried by rail.

The Government continues to support modal shift from road to rail through the Mode Shift Revenue Support scheme, which we have extended to at least 31 March 2026. As stated in our consultation document on proposals to reform our railways, there will be a statutory duty on Great British Railways to promote the use of rail freight, alongside a growth target set by the Secretary of State. We will also include safeguards to ensure that freight operators continue to receive fair access to the network. Both Government and Great British Railways will work with the rail freight industry on further actions to support growth.