§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to increase use of coastal shipping.
§ Mr. NorrisThe choice of transport mode for freight is rightly a commercial decision. However, in July 1991 my Department held a "Roads to Water" seminar to raise awareness of the potential of coastal shipping and inland water transport among freight users.
Following this meeting, two studies were commissioned, one to determine current traffic patterns in the short sea and coastal sectors and to identify the potential for shifting freight from roads to water; the other to consider the interaction between the planning system and the provision and/or retention of waterside freight facilities.
Executive summaries of both studies have been sent to the hon. Member: copies have also been placed in the Library.