HC Deb 18 May 1988 vol 133 cc459-60W
Mr. Warren

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what increase in road traffic is anticipated to arise from the completion of the Channel tunnel; and if he will take steps to ensure that the road transport system for the south-east will be sufficient to meet the increased demand.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The effect of the tunnel on traffic volumes in the south-east will vary from route to route. For example, on the M20 in the vicinity of the tunnel, average daily August flows are predicted to increase from about 29,000 (without a tunnel) to 34,000 by the year 2008; for the A259 the increase is predicted to be less than 1,000 vehicles per day.

The trunk road programme is kept under constant review. Schemes are added as need is identified.

A number of major trunk road improvements in the south-east are already programmed, in particular on the M20/A20 and A259 routes. The Hastings eastern bypass, St. Mary's bay and Dymchurch bypass on the A259, and the M20/A259 Hythe improvement were added at the last programme review in 1987.

Mr. Adley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will detail the latest traffic forecasts available to him for Channel tunnel passengers and freight(a) to London and (b) to destinations beyond London; and what plans he is making to keep these forecasts up to date.

Mr. David Mitchell

The latest available forecasts of Channel tunnel passengers and freight on through rail services was released by British Rail at a recent seminar and I am sure that British Rail would make its forecasts available to my hon. Friend. Eurotunnel plc has also produced its own forecasts of Channel tunnel traffic which are available to my Department. Eurotunnel's forecasts were published in part in its share flotation offer for sale published, inter alia, in theFinancial Times of 18 November 1987—available from the Library. British Rail, Eurotunnel and the other organisations that have produced Channel tunnel traffic forecasts will no doubt update their forecasts whenever they think it necessary.

Although the Channel tunnel is a private sector undertaking the level of Channel tunnel traffic has wide implications for transport in the United Kingdom and therefore my Department forms its own view on the available forecasts where they have implications for the public sector.

Mr. Adley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department treats applications from commercial operators seeking to provide themselves with environmentally acceptable links to Channel tunnel rail infrastructure as fulfilling the criteria for eligibility for section 8 grants; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. David Mitchell

It is open to any consignor or freight handler to make an application for section 8 grant towards private rail facilities where moving freight by rail, rather than by road, will lead to environmental benefits. Such applications, whether they involve Channel tunnel traffic or not, will need to meet the normal freight facilities grants criteria and will be considered on their merits.