Scotland’s trade union movement has called for a “nationalised freight operator” to grow the sector north of the border - but the Scottish Government says it has “no plans” to consider this.
At the annual meeting of the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) on April 15, delegates unanimously endorsed a motion proposed by rail unions which argued that the move could “increase rail traffic in Scotland, optimise efficiency, develop the economy, and improve sustainability”.
George Mitchell, a delegate at the Congress from drivers’ union ASLEF, said: “Despite the environmental, financial and social benefits that rail freight provides, the Scottish Government does not itself have a true stake in it, yet it is responsible for the infrastructure and has set a growth target of 8.7% across 2024-29.
“This leaves the operation of rail freight services purely down to private operators whose main focus is on extracting profit for their shareholders.
“We should be bold and campaign for the creation of a nationalised rail freight operator working to move goods within Scotland, across the UK, and on to international markets.”
Rail Freight Group Director General Maggie Simpson said: “There is huge potential for rail freight growth in Scotland, supporting the economy and helping to decarbonise transport.
“The rail freight industry is working collaboratively with Network Rail and Transport Scotland to deliver public and private sector investment, and to get more goods onto rail.
“We welcome the support of STUC members in achieving that growth.”
But Labour peer Lord Berkeley, a former chair of the group, said: “The rail freight sector is competitive and innovative, and thrives on competition. Nationalisation will increase costs and reduce traffic. Transport Scotland would do better to encourage rail freight by reducing access charges to enable frail freight to better compete with road.”
Transport Scotland argued it had “no direct role in the management or specification of freight services”, saying that the “mode of transport for freight is a commercial decision for the freight service provider and customer”.
A spokeswoman added: “The role of government is to set the overarching strategy and vision for rail freight and facilitate an environment for the sustainable growth of the rail freight sector.
“In Scotland we already lead the way in our support for rail freight with focused leadership, regulatory rail freight growth targets, and significant investment.
“There are no plans to consider the creation of a national/nationalised freight operator.”
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