Rail Freight Group Conference

• Proposals and progress with rail reform
• Investment in rail

• Providing freight pathways and improving capacity
• Progress with improvements in CP6
• Further plans to reduce bottlenecks on the network
• Recent restructure and how the freight industry can engage with Network Rail

• Regulation in rail freight

• What do the proposals mean for freight?
• Where are the opportunities and challenges of the reforms?
• What does the freight sector need to do to prepare for changes?

• Opportunities and markets to explore in 2020 and the future
• Growth plans and development
• Responding to changes in the rail sector

• What does further devolution mean for rail freight?
• Plans and investment in rail freight schemes
• Opportunities for freight development
• How rail can help build regional growth

10 minute updates from each speaker followed by panel discussion

• Responding to changing trade routes and patterns
• The importance for improved inland routes and connections

• The possible use of free ports
• Developing and investing in improving rail connectivity

• What infrastructure is needed to meet decarbonisation targets and reduced carbon emission locomotives?
• Infrastructure plans for the network and what else is needed
• The use of electrification in meeting decarbonisation targets

• Innovations and advancements – what progress is being made and what new technologies are emerging?
• Possible fuels and requirements for future rolling stock

• The future competition road could offer rail in terms of sustainability and carbon emissions – how can rail remain competitive?
• The rise of electric vehicles and what this means for rail freight - timelines and the potential for HGVs
• Ensuring rail keeps offering environmental benefits