§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Strategic Rail Authority will have a duty to promote the transfer of freight from road to rail. [74850]
§ Dr. Reid[holding answer5 March 1999]: Subject to Parliament's consideration of the necessary legislation, the Strategic Rail Authority will have a duty to promote integrated transport and powers to promote the transfer of freight from road to rail by means of grants. One of the Strategic Rail Authority's most important tasks will be to address the needs of freight as well as passengers, and the balance between the demands of each.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Strategic Rail Authority will have(a) a duty and (b) a power to influence matters outside the rail industry but which nevertheless affect it, with particular reference to maximum lorry weights. [74831]
§ Dr. Reid[holding answer5 March 1999]: The Strategic Rail Authority will act as a champion for the railways, taking an overview of the industry and speaking for it, subject to Parliamentary consideration of the necessary legislation. The Strategic Rail Authority will be consulted by the Commission for Integrated Transport as part of its remit in advising the Government on lorry weights and the development of railfreight.
160W
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Strategic Rail Authority will have a duty to require a minimum percentage of train paths to be available for freight traffic. [74851]
§ Dr. Reid[holding answer5 March 1999]: Subject to Parliament's consideration of the necessary legislation, the Rail Regulator will remain responsible for approving track access agreements. The Strategic Rail Authority will, however, develop targets for both the passenger and the freight railway, and address the balance between the demands of passenger and freight services.