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Railways: Devon

Asked by Martin WrigleyLiberal DemocratDepartment for TransportTabled Answered 19 December 2025UIN 99596

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to support the expansion of Rail Freight in Devon.

Answered by Keir Mather

The Government recognises that the economic and environmental potential of rail freight is significant and is committed to delivering growth and supporting modal shift to lower-carbon modes of freight transport. We have committed to the rail freight growth target of a 75% increase in freight moved by rail by 2050.

The recently laid Railways Bill sets out that the Secretary of State will provide GBR with growth targets for rail freight. As was the case during the development of the 2050 target, we will make informed forecasts about the future capability and capacity of the network. My officials, together with Network Rail, are continuing to work to identify where there is the potential for growth across the network for rail freight.

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