§ Dame Peggy FennerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the new freight terminal at Thamesport, Isle of Grain, is to be opened; and what assessment he has made of the benefits it will bring to residents of Medway.
§ Mr. FreemanI visited Thamesport on 7 January to inspect the start of work on the new rail freight terminal which has attracted a £1.77 million grant under section 8 of the Railways Act 1974. I understand that the terminal will be operational by the end of the year and should enable up to 35 per cent. of container traffic to be carried by rail bringing relief to roads in this part of Kent and in particular the A228 which links the port to the A2/M2.