§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Transport to what extent industry is placed under a cost penalty in moving freight from the West to the East of England due to the absence of suitable roads to East Coast ports; and whether he can quantify the disadvantages in monetary terms.
§ Mr. HoramAccess from the West to the East Coast ports has greatly improved in recent years. Hull is now well-served, but work is still needed on the final stretch of the route to Grimsby and Immingham. Connections from the M1 and M4 to Tilbury and the Channel ports will be greatly improved by the M25.
Thousands of vehicles 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977* 1978* 44.8 55.8 66.7 73.7 86.5 94.0 * Figures for 1977 and 1978 are for vehicles over 28 tonnes and will therefore include vehicles which fall between 28 tonnes—27.56 tons—and 28 tons.