HL Deb 18 March 2003 vol 646 c24WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What plans Northern Ireland Railways have for freight traffic over the next two years. [HL1834]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

Northern Ireland Railways has no plans to expand rail freight over the next two years but will continue to appraise new opportunities as and when they arise. However, given the relatively short journeys involved within Northern Ireland, rail freight struggles to compete with road freight.