§ Mr. StunellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has received an application for a grant for rail freight to the construction site of runway two at Manchester Airport; and if he will make a statement [5455]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonWe announced the award of almost £2.2 million in freight facilities grant on 23 June. The grant will lead to construction of a new temporary connection to the Manchester Airport Branch railway line so that the 1.4 million tonnes of limestone needed for the second runway can be carried by rail rather than by road, thereby avoiding 70,000 lorry journeys between the Peak District and Manchester.
The grant underlines the Government's commitment to getting freight off the road and onto the railway. It is good news for the rail industry and good news for the environment.