§ Miss HoeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what progress has been made to increase the movement of goods by water rather than road as advocated by the Government office for London's document on Thames strategy; [32679]
(2) what steps have been taken to encourage the use of the Thames for commercial river-borne traffic on the lines of the Government office for London's document on Thames strategy. [32678]
§ Mr. NorrisThe report of the River Thames working group, which I chaired and which published its report last December, identified the potential for maximising the use of the Thames for commercial transport. I have 401W subsequently held a number of meetings with operators and potential operators on the Thames to discuss the scope for expanding freight and passenger services. This process will continue.
The River Thames working group report has stimulated wider interest in transport on the river. The Thames strategy report and the Thames gateway planning framework, both published this year by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, recognise the benefits of maximising the Thames for commercial traffic and the need to safeguard essential river-related infrastructure.
Financial assistance, in the form of freight facilities grant, is also available to operators to encourage the movement of goods by water or rail rather than by road.