HC Deb 17 May 1972 vol 837 c94W
28. Mr. J. H. Osborn

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate the percentage of freight carried by road vehicles to date this year, and compare this as a percentage of the freight carried by road vehicles in 1971 and previous years, as against rail, giving details of journeys in ton miles and the average length of journey for these years.

Mr. Peyton

In 1971, 63 per cent. of all domestic freight ton mileage was carried by road, compared with 18 per cent. by rail. The average length of haul by road was about 30 miles and by rail about 77 miles. Complete figures are not yet available for the first quarter of this year.

Following are the figures including earlier years: