Government “cowardice” is holding back growth in rail freight, train drivers’ union ASLEF has said. In the debate, ASLEF Assistant General Secretary Simon Weller argued that rail freight was suffering from the same conditions that he believed had held back passenger operations under franchising. He blasted the “political cowardice” of maintaining the freeze in fuel duty, which he said has kept road freight costs artificially low. It has to be delivered in a long term strategic manner.”Transport Salaried Staffs Association delegate Simon Turp told the conference: “Currently rail freight is only around 8% of domestic freight movements. But that means making it easier for businesses to choose freight, reducing track access charges and reviewing road fuel duty.”