In a new report “Beyond the tracks: Rail’s contribution to the UK”, the Rail Delivery Group shows that rail is crucial to unlocking the UK’s economic growth and achieving its target of net zero.

This latest research shows that railways currently contribute over £26bn in benefits to the UK economy, the environment, and society each year.

If rail use was boosted by 40% by 2035, this could increase to £46bn.

It is estimated that rail customers contribute £98bn to local communities while travelling each year, and with over three million journeys made daily, rail’s impact on the UK economy is significant and directly employs over 100,000 people.

There is significant potential for growth in the rail industry, which would further bolster the UK economy, with rail travel expected to grow over the next 30 years by an average of 1.6% annually.

This will be driven by economic and population growth, and by 2035 will be equivalent to a 20% increase in rail usage, potentially raising rail’s contribution to the economy from £26bn to £35bn.

An increase of 40% in rail usage, driven by improved services and a growing preference for travelling sustainably by rail, would increase rail’s contribution to the economy to £46bn.

To achieve rail’s potential, the rail industry must work together to improve the attractiveness of rail to customers.

Besides government investment in the infrastructure, future growth will also depend on the rail industry improving its day-to-day performance, better integration with other modes of transport; making rail accessible to everyone; and continuing improvements to the overall customer experience.

Although passenger trains produce only around 20% of the greenhouse gas emissions from the average petrol car, research shows that to achieve the UK’s net zero targets rail use needs to increase 40% by 2035 to shift a minimum of four billion miles from car to train.

Britain’s rail network plays an important part in connecting people and communities across the country by enabling almost two-thirds of people aged 16-30 and 55% of people over 30 to travel more independently.

By continuing to make rail more accessible, social exclusion can be reduced, quality of life improved, and an increase in rail travel will further unlock rail’s social value benefits.

Last December, the government announced an ambitious target to increase the amount of freight transported by rail across the UK by rail by at least 75% by 2050, while the creation of Great British Railways is intended to make clearer the lines of responsibility and produce a more modern and financially robust industry.

Last December, the government announced an ambitious target to increase the amount freight transported by rail across the UK by rail by at least 75% by 2050, while the creation of Great British Railways is intended to make clearer the lines of responsibility and produce a more modern and financially robust industry.

“The UK’s rail network does more than simply transport us from A to B; it plays a crucial role in driving economic growth by connecting businesses and communities, improving productivity, and supporting the transition to net zero. The creation of Great British Railways is an opportunity for the rail industry to come together and make the improvements that are needed to attract more people to rail, unlocking even greater value for the economy, environment, and wider society. Rail can and must be the backbone of the country’s future growth and environmental ambitions.”

Jacqueline Starr, CEO of Rail Delivery Group