Charges for train freight users set to rise

Rail-freight charges are to rise by between 3 per cent and 5 per cent from 2016, the Office of the Rail Regulator said today.

It said rail-freight users had been paying less than their fair share to maintain the rail network.

The shortfall was paid by passengers and the taxpayer.

The proportion of costs incurred by freight that will have to be paid back by the industry will rise from 21 per cent to about a third.