The Department of Transport states that their “vision is for a transport system that is an engine for economic growth, but one that is also greener and safer and improves quality of life in our communities”. So says the supposed “Greenest Government Ever”. The reality, however, is far removed from this ethos. • The Government now plans to increase levies on rail freight. These are not only unjust, but could well mean the end of the industry. At a time when our roads are overloaded and public transport (though largely inadequate) is oft trumpeted as the solution to excessive fuel emissions and heavy traffic, this is a worrying paradox. Road freight already has huge incentives whose re-assessment is long overdue. There are currently only two road haulage charges - an annual road tax (VED) and fuel duty. Rail freight, on the other hand, already has seven separate charges. At the very least the goal posts should be the same width. • The rail regulator ORR says the new charge is to ensure that freight covers all costs that would have been avoided if rail freight had not used the infrastructure, but it is grossly unjust that this formula is applied to rail and not to lorries on roads. Evidence shows that lorries are up to 160,000 times more damaging to roads than the average car and that Heavy Goods Vehicles only pay between one to two thirds of the costs they impose on society. Again, the taxpayer pays by effectively subsidising road haulage, whilst offering rail freight nothing. • This flies in the face of government commitments to the environment. Rail freight is central to delivering their targets as rail freight produces 70% less Carbon Dioxide than road haulage and currently takes 6.7million road journeys a year off the roads – yet the rail industry receive virtually no subsidies, no incentives and no encouragement. This is no way to treat an industry that has led to a decrease in road traffic accidents and congestion, helped the environment and boosted the economy. The Department for Transport allege that they support the growth of freight services, but these measures would restrict and limit rail freight expansion in favour of road transport. This could potentially be as damaging for the rail industry as the Beeching Report in 1965. The final date for submissions to the ORR on the proposals is Friday 10 August.