§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration his Department is currently giving to the use of the(a) coastal traffic, (b) navigable rivers and canals and (c) ports for moving freight from the motorways to waterways; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NorrisThe Department has commissioned two studies examining the scope for shifting freight from roads to water: inland waterways, coastal and short sea shipping.
We expect to publish a summary of the results of both studies shortly.
Additionally, the River Thames working group, which I chair, is looking at both freight and passenger traffic on the Thames, the constraints that limit that traffic, the potential for its development, and the means to realise that potential. The group hopes to report its findings during the late spring of 1994.