§ Mr. David StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to develop the use of freight facilities grants to encourage the movement of freight off roads. [83522]
§ Mr. JamiesonFreight Facilities Grant (FFG), Water or rail freight facility grants are available to encourage these modes rather than road transport
On the water side, in April of this year we published a consultation document, 'Financial Assistance for Moving Freight from Road to Inland Waterway and Maritime Transport', which set out our ideas for the development of the water FFG scheme. There was broad industry agreement with our views. We will very shortly publish our final proposals. Copies of this document will be placed in the Libraries of the House
We expect to introduce our widened water scheme by the end of 2003. As far as rail is concerned the Strategic Rail Authority, Scottish Executive and Welsh Assembly Government who have responsibility for rail FFGs, are developing new grant schemes that will improve the targeting of support to encourage more companies to move freight by rail.