§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to support investment for the improvement of existing freight railway lines in Wales so as to enable them to carry passenger traffic; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanThis is a matter for BR and the local authorities concerned.
§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the level of investment by British Rail in rolling stock for the Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth railway line.
§ Mr. FreemanI understand most services on this line are operated by British Rail's flagship diesel unit, the class 158. The remaining services are also operated by modern diesel units—class 150/156s.
§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement concerning the relative fuel efficiency of rail and road transport and the effect of increased use of rail travel on the natural environment of rural Wales.
§ Mr. FreemanA comparison of CO2 emissions per kilometre is a useful indication of the relative fuel efficiency of various modes of transport. We have estimated that a typical regional railway service produces 80 to 85 per cent of the CO2 emissions of an average car per 100 person kilometres travelled. This figure reflects the very low levels of off-peak demand on some rural services which involve relatively long journeys. British Rail's regional railways business is currently undergoing a replacement of rolling stock which, when complete, should lead to a halving in fuel consumption. There is also substantial scope for increased fuel efficiency in road vehicles. The effect of increased rail travel on the natural environment of Wales would depend on the amount of traffic diverted from road and the extent to which new rail services and infrastructure were required.