Freight safety
Rail freight is a rapidly evolving, reliable, safe, and green sector that contributes £2.45bn to the economy annually
Rail freight is vital to the UK. Its logistical efficiency supports the economy, reduces road congestion, and produces lower emissions than road and air freight.
The harm to members of staff associated with freight operations in 2023/24 reduced by about 10% compared to last year. This is compared to the same volume of freight moved over the two years.
Recent years have seen welcome improvements in freight operational safety. In 2023/24, there were two train accidents that were reportable under Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR). Although neither of these were derailments on the running line (see figure 9); for the first time in more than five years. The number of reportable train accidents in 2023/24 is consistent with the previous two years. But shows a significant improvement on the twelve recorded five years ago. Much of this can be attributed to improvements in tackling freight derailments, the number of which has reduced significantly when normalised by train miles (see figure). However, serious incidents do still occur. RAIB’s investigation into the derailment at Petteril Bridge in 2022, for example, being published in October. This accident was caused by a non-rotating wheel. This was likely the result of a normal brake application made in low adhesion conditions. RAIB recommended that the railway industry undertake work to understand the specific risks to freight trains in such adhesion conditions.
Freight vehicles do still enter the network with defects. This can have a safety impact. Reducing the number of in-service freight train failures reduces costs and the direct risks associated with failures, as well as the knock-on risks associated with delays. The Wagon Condition Programme has targeted actions to achieve continuous progress towards reducing the risk from freight vehicles on the network in a manner that is proportionate with the risk.
To improve safety further, the freight sector has implemented the Freight Safe Programme. The programme identifies agreed key priority projects and is led by a Freight Safe Steering Group of senior and experienced professionals from across rail freight.
