Written question asked by Gavin Newlands (Scottish National Party) on Thursday, 18 January 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 22 January 2024. It was answered by Huw Merriman (Conservative) on Thursday, 25 January 2024 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Railways: Postal Services

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions have taken place between his Department, Royal Mail Group Ltd, and rolling stock leasing companies on future rail freight capacity for (a) parcels and (b) letter traffic.

Answer: My officials have had general discussions with rail freight industry stakeholders, including a rolling stock leasing company, on various initiatives stakeholders are planning or undertaking for transporting parcels and letters by rail freight. Express Freight was identified as an emerging core market in our recently announced rail freight growth target and we are keen to support its development. In 2022 Varamis Ltd was awarded a grant through our ‘First of a Kind’ initiative to support its activities in developing express rail freight.

Secondary information