§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research he has undertaken to assess the reduction in heavy goods vehicle traffic movements resulting from an increase in the use of transshipment or feeder journeys using coastal shipping.
§ Mr. NorrisI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. Redmond) on 22 October at column342.
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§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set targets for the greater use of coastal shipping as an alternative to road transport; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NorrisNo. The choice of transport mode for freight is primarily a commercial matter.
We encourage shippers and others in the freight industry to consider the merits of coastal and short sea shipping where this is a practical option.
§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport in which(a) inland ports and (b) small ports he proposes to increase coastal shipping traffic; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NorrisIt is for individual ports to decide what facilities they will provide for coastal shipping. It is for shippers and ship operators to decide how they will use such facilities. The Government are assisting this process by removing constraints on the ability of ports to operate efficiently, and by continuing to provide grants for inland waterways freight facilities, under section 36 of the Transport Act 1981, where these can be justified on environmental benefit grounds.