The Government partially accepts this recommendation. As referenced in the Plan for Rail, the Department is working with the Great British Railways Transition Team to develop the Long-Term Strategy for Rail which will include a focus on opportunities for freight. The Government fully recognises the advantages to the economy, environment and society of shifting freight from road to rail, with rail being one of the most carbon efficient ways of moving goods over long distances. This includes, for example, delivering additional capacity and increased loading gauge clearance through the Transpennine Route Upgrade which will enable substantial rail freight growth East-West across the North of England. HS2 will also free up capacity on the WCML that could be used to run more freight trains. The Secretary of State made clear in his February Bradshaw address that we cannot overstate rail freight’s untapped potential for green growth. That is why a new Strategic Freight Unit has already been created within Great British Railways, tasked with creating better safeguards and more national coordination and acting as the guiding mind for rail freight to provide strategic leadership unlock opportunities for growth. Further, the Government will, later this year set a long-term rail freight growth target which is intended to provide confidence in the industry well into the future.