The UK rail freight volume is forecasted to decline from 52.84 Million Metric Tons in 2024 to 39.59 Million Metric Tons by 2028. For context, in 2023, the volume stood at 56 million metric tons. This indicates a consistent decline year-on-year, around a 6.5% average annual decrease.

Key trends to watch for:

The shift towards other modes of freight transport, potentially due to cost or efficiency advantages.
Environmental policies pushing for greener alternatives to rail freight.
Technological advancements that may impact freight logistics and impact rail's competitiveness.
Market demands and economic factors influencing the volume of goods transported by rail.