Change of https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/department-for-transport-delivers-more-grant-funding-to-transport-freight-by-rail

Change description : 2025-12-29 14:11:00: Updated to reflect the extension of the MSRS to March 2027. [Guidance and regulation]

Showing diff : 2025-02-04 14:00:08.193310056 +00:00..2025-12-29 14:11:50.390601276 +00:00

Guidance

Apply for grant funding to transport freight by rail and water

Explains how to access funding to transport freight by rail and water, rather than by road, and provides details of grants awarded.

From:
Department for Transport
Published
22 July 2013
Last updated
429 FebruaryDecember 2025 — See all updates

Documents

Mode Shift Revenue Support and Waterborne Freight Grant applications: overview

HTML

Mode Shift Revenue Support and Waterborne Freight Grant awards since December 2014

CSV, 132 KB

View online

Guide to Mode Shift Revenue Support (MSRS) scheme

PDF, 632 KB, 31 pages

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Guide to the Waterborne Freight Grant scheme

PDF, 327 KB, 38 pages

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Intermodal traffic details form (ODS version)

ODS, 5.08 KB

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Bulk traffic details form (ODS version)

ODS, 6.46 KB

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Waterborne Freight Grant financial summary table (ODS version)

ODS, 4.88 KB

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Intermodal application form (ODS version)

ODS, 12 KB

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Bulk and Waterways application form (ODS version)

ODS, 12 KB

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Waterborne Freight Grant application form (ODS version)

ODS, 15.3 KB

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Details

Mode Shift Revenue Support scheme extended until March 2026

The Mode Shift Revenue Support (MSRS) scheme is extended until 31 March 2026. This means that both the MSRS and the the Waterborne Freight Grant will(WFG) nowextended expireuntil 31 March on2027.

Please 31note Marchthat 2026.

Thesethe guidance documentsabove is andout formsof shoulddate and will be usedupdated in todue applycourse. In the formeantime, fundingif fromyou thewould Modelike Shiftmore Revenueinformation Supporton (MSRS)either schemegrant andscheme, Waterborneplease Freightcontact Grantthe (WFGDfT) scheme.at FREIGHTGRANTS@dft.gov.uk

These environmentally beneficial schemes provide funding to supplement the additional costs incurred if companies move freight by rail or water, rather than by road.

Details of the grants awarded has also been published.

To fulfil the subsidy control transparency obligations, details of grant allocation data is published / updated every 6 months on the Subsidy Control Database:  

View subsidies awarded by UK public authorities - GOV.UK 

Access instructions:  

Step 1: Click: ‘Start Now’ 

Step 2: Click: ‘View all subsidy awards made under schemes’ 

Step 3: Set the filters as below:  

  • purpose: Environmental protection 

  • sector: Transportation and storage  

  • form: Direct grant

Mode Shift Revenue Support grant scheme 2020 to 20252027

The MSRS scheme for 2020 to 20252027 has 2 funding options for companies moving freight within the UK.

Intermodal MSRS funding

Intermodal funding is for companies transporting intermodal units by rail, such as containers, swap bodies or piggyback trailers.

Bulk and waterways MSRS funding

Bulk and waterways funding supports non-containerised freight movement by rail and freight transported by inland waterway.

Waterborne Freight Grant scheme 2020 to 20252027

The WFG scheme applies to coastal and short sea shipping assisting a company for up to 3 years.shipping.

Separate guidance is available for routes which start or end in Scotland (PDF, 245 KB).

Updates to this page

Published 22 July 2013

Last updated 429 FebruaryDecember 2025 + show href="#full-history">+ show all updates

    3. MSRS scheme extended until March 2026.

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Update history

2025-12-29 14:11
Updated to reflect the extension of the MSRS to March 2027.

2025-02-04 14:00
MSRS scheme extended until March 2026.

2024-07-24 11:13
‘30 August 2024, Rail Period 7’ closing date removed.

2024-03-06 14:01
Temporary grant rates for 2023 to 2024 information added.

2023-12-19 09:30
Bid round dates for 2023 to 2024 and 2024 to 2025 period added.

2023-01-11 15:28
Update to information on industrial action in regards to Mode Shift Revenue Support and Waterborne Freight Grant applications.

2022-12-22 12:06
Updated application closing dates.

2022-07-05 14:17
Overview guidance document updated to reflect proposals for temporary variations to freight grant rates following the recent, and potentially further, rail strikes.