§ Mr. LyonsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what financial incentives are available to companies wishing to move freight from road to rail. [28382]
§ Mr. SpellarThe Strategic Rail Authority operates two grant schemes to help companies switch traffic from road to rail. The Freight Facilities Grant helps companies with the capital cost of providing rail facilities and the Track Access Grant helps rail freight operators to meet the charges paid to Railtrack for access to the network, which in turn allows operators to offer a more competitive price to companies.
§ Mr. LyonsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the quantities were of freight carried on Britain's rail network in each of the last four years. [28383]
§ Mr. SpellarFreight moved is measured in net tonne kilometres (NTKMs). This takes into account the net weight of the goods carried (excluding the weight of the868W locomotive and wagons) and the distance carried. The total amount carried in each of the last four years is shown in the table:
Billion NTKMs Freight moved 1997–98 16.9 1998–99 17.3 1999–2000 18.2 2000–01 18.1 Growth in 2000–01 was not achieved because of the Hatfield derailment and subsequent network-wide problems.