§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Trans port and the Regions if, in advance of the visit of the Under-Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Streatham (Mr. Hill), to the C2C line in Thurrock, an examination will be made of anticipated additional freight movements consequent on the proposed new port development in East Thurrock, with particular reference to the impact on level crossing access to East Tilbury.[157361]
§ Mr. Hill[holding answer 6 April 2001]: The Strategic Rail Authority has consulted with Railtrack and freight operators to make outline assumptions on extra freight traffic as a result of the potential development. This is to help facilitate their London Freight Routing Strategy, ensuring sufficient network capacity is provided. The actual number of extra freight services that will use the C2C route as a result of the new development cannot be accurately forecast at present. It will be for the developers of the project in association with the rail freight operators and Railtrack to make predictions. I understand that Thurrock Council has convened a meeting in May involving the SRA, Railtrack, C2C and freight operators to discuss the impact of the options for the proposal.