§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how the channel tunnel terminal will be described on road signs on the principal motorways and trunk roads in the direction of Folkestone; what effect including the tunnel terminal on road signs will have on the current level of references to Folkestone on such road signs; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. KeyThe new fixed channel link will be described as "Channel Tunnel" on trunk road signs. This is a change from the earlier proposal to sign it as "Eurotunnel".
The inclusion of "Channel Tunnel" on the signs does not itself affect the number of signs on which "Folkestone" will be shown, but the reclassification of the town in the mid 1980s from a super primary to a primary destination does.
As signs are now being changed for other purposes, the references to Folkestone will be made consistent with its primary destination status. The major change will be on the M20 motorway. The town will continue to appear on all signs eastward from the western side of Ashford. Westwards from there it will no longer appear on advance direction signs but, in the light of recent representation made to my Department we have agreed to retain it on all distance signs on M20 and M26 back to M25. These are the signs which are located between junction and show destinations and the countdown mileages to them.
§ Mr. SpellarTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the Government's plans for rail freight travel and handling to take advantage of the opening of the channel tunnel.
§ Mr. FreemanWe have supported investment by British Rail of over £400 million in preparation for channel tunnel freight services, and have asked BR to explore further the opportunities for maximising private sector involvement in their development. It remains the Government's objective to secure the transfer of this business to the private sector as soon as possible.