Tuesday, 5 March, is the date for the annual Rail Partners Freight Parliamentary Reception. Any event on the Terrace Pavilion at the House of Commons in London has its own attraction. However, this year’s reception has added significance. In an election year, there is added incentive for the government and political leaders to make an appearance.
Rail Partners, an association of independent owning groups, passenger train and freight operating companies, has invited its membership to their annual Freight Parliamentary Reception, with the event in the diary of several politicians who play an important role in shaping rail freight policy. Tuesday’s event is in the diary of at least three such individuals. Rail Minister Huw Merriman will be flanked by the opposition (shadow) transport secretary, Louise Haugh, and the transport spokesperson from the Liberal Democrat Party, Wera Hobhouse.
Unlock further significant economic and environmental benefits
For Huw Merriman, from the ruling Conservative Party, the event will no doubt be a quick reacquaintance with many familiar faces. The Minister for Rail and HS2 took part, only two weeks ago, in the Bradshaw Address, an annual event for the rail industry, also organised by Rail Partners. However, the Freight Parliamentary Reception will concentrate on the potential of rail freight to unlock further significant economic and environmental benefits for the country. Whether or not Merriman continues in his ministerial role will depend on the outcome of this year’s general election.
The new boss at 55 Horseferry Road (the Department for Transport) may well be Louise Haugh, if her Labour Party fulfil predictions and is successful at the ballot box. Wera Hobhouse may legitimately aim to influence policy if her Liberal Democrat Party performs well enough to hold the balance of power. While not a confirmed speaker, Gavin Newlands from the Scottish National Party may well be an interested participant. As the Westminster spokesperson on transport, he would undoubtedly find the event within his portfolio interests. Although only active in Scotland, his party holds almost three times as many seats as the Liberal Democrats.
A ‘can do’ approach to rail freight
It has only been a few of months (December 2023) since the UK government announced a long term target to grow rail freight 75 per cent by 2050. The industry has largely welcomed the move, even if there is some criticism of the scale of ambition. Some concerned stakeholders say it’s not enough; while others express concerns over available capacity, or question from where the new customers may actually come.
Nevertheless, most industry stakeholders have seen a freight growth target set in Scotland, where transport is a devolved responsibility of the Parliament sitting in Edinburgh. Examples include the privately promoted Mossend International Railfreight Park and the more modest government-backed Highland Spring terminal at the famous mineral water plant in Stirlingshire. Rail Partners Liam Bogues, their freight and regulation policy lead, says that has been influential in creating a ‘can do’ approach to rail freight. “This GB-wide target will focus minds on the need to transport goods in greener ways and will help to promote investment”, he says.
Two events satisfy the desire to meet political big-hitters
This Tuesday, the rail freight sector will have its opportunity to lobby the political leaders, from all the Westminster parties. The complicated nature of the devolved UK government – with transport responsibilities in the hands of the individual nations, means that Tuesday’s Freight Parliamentary Reception may have limited relevance to policy in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Nevertheless, cross-border freight within Great Britain is a highly relevant topic for all operators.
The devolved nations need not feel left out, especially delegates from Scotland. Opportunities to meet the political big hitters can be rare, but they can also be rather like the proverbial buses. You wait all year, then two come along at once. Some very keen delegates, with interests north of the border, may even head straight from Westminster to Euston to catch the Caledonian Sleeper. The Rail Freight Group Scottish Conference is on Wednesday morning, and is to be addressed by Fiona Hyslop, the Transport Secretary in the Scottish government. Extra strong coffee will be available if the rhythm of the rails doesn’t induce a slumber on the way to Scotland.