Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what progress has been made on the delivery of a National Freight Network; when they will publish their response to the Union Connectivity Review; and what consequence their response will have for the National Freight Network.

In “Future of freight: a long-term plan” published in June 2022, the Government announced that, with the Freight Council, it would undertake the work necessary to identify a National Freight Network by developing a fuller understanding of the domestic freight network across road, rail, maritime, aviation, inland waterway and warehouse and distribution infrastructure. This work is underway and will be the subject of engagement with stakeholders in due course.

Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill’s independent Union Connectivity Review, published in November 2021, considered transport connectivity across the UK. Considering the scale and breadth of the review, we are taking the time necessary to consider Lord Hendy’s recommendations and engage with the devolved administrations.  We will publish our response as soon as is practicable. The development of the National Freight Network project takes account of Lord Hendy’s recommendations and will align with the Government’s upcoming response.