TSGB 2011: Freight
This chapter of Transport Statistics Great Britain contains data relating to trends in the methods used to transport goods around Great Britain and the type of goods that are being transported.
Documents
Details
This chapter of Transport Statistics Great Britain contains data relating to trends in the methods used to transport goods around Great Britain and the type of goods that are being transported. It also considers the efficiency of the road freight industry, which is responsible for the majority of tonnage delivered.
Key points
- In 2009, the level of domestic freight was at broadly the same level as in 1991, at around 215 billion tonnes kilometres.
- Since the late 1980s, more than 60% of goods have been moved by road, although the amount of goods moved by road decreased by 13% between 2008 and 2009 to 137 billion tonnes kilometres and rose to 151 billion tonne kilometres in 2010.
- Goods moved by rail account for around 9% of all goods moved. In recent years, rail freight has also accounted for around 5% of goods lifted, compared with 9% in 1980/81.
- In 2010, 2.47 million goods vehicles travelled from Great Britain to mainland Europe, 4% higher than the 2009 total and 76% higher than in 1992.
- This figure was made up of 1.79 million powered vehicles, up 2% from 2009 and up 133% from 1992, and 673 thousand unaccompanied trailers, up 10% from 2009 and up 7% from 1992.
Technical notes
Information on freight statistics, including the pre-release access list and related technical documentation can be found on the following guidance pages:
Contact us
Maritime and shipping statistics
Email maritime.stats@dft.gov.uk
Media enquiries 0300 7777 878
Rail statistics enquiries
Email rail.stats@dft.gov.uk
Media enquiries 0300 7777 878
Road freight statistics
Email roadfreight.stats@dft.gov.uk
Media enquiries 0300 7777 878