§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the annual volume of freight traffic to be transferred from rail to road if the closure of Speedlink is proceeded with.
§ Mr. FreemanBritish Rail is still in consultation with customers about the alternative rail options for Speedlink traffic and it is not possible to estimate exactly how much freight traffic will transfer from rail to road when the Speedlink network closes on 8 July.
I understand that British Rail expects to retain well over half the 3 million tonnes of domestic freight currently carried. Wagonload traffic lost to rail is likely to amount to some 1 per cent. of total rail freight.
§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will issue directions to British Rail that the Speedlink rail freight service should continue to operate.
§ Mr. FreemanNo. The Speedlink wagonload network has losses of well over £30 million a year on a turnover of £45 million. To compete with road, rail has to be efficient, competitive and commercial. British Rail plans to develop train load freight services rather than individual wagon services.