HC Deb 15 September 2003 vol 410 cc507-8W
Norman Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the rail lines operated for freight purposes only, giving the mileage length of each line identified; and what assessment has been made of the potential use of each line for passenger traffic. [129251]

Mr. McNulty

The information on the first two points is contained in Appendix D of the "Review of Freight Charging Policy: Consultation on Costs", published by the Office of the Rail Regulator in November 2000. A copy of this document is obtainable from the Office of the Rail Regulator.

There is no systematic assessment of the potential use of freight only lines for passenger traffic. Proposals submitted by local stakeholders to the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) are considered on a case by case basis, with each case being reviewed on its individual merits and against the SRA's planning criteria.

Norman Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list in percentage terms the movement of freight within the United Kingdom by(a) road, (b) rail and (c) water for each year from 1996 to date. [129262]

Mr. Jamieson

The information is in the following table.

Percentage share of goods moved (tonne kilometres):

United Kingdom

Road Rail1 Water Pipeline All modes2
1996 66 6 23 5 100
1997 68 7 20 5 100
1998 65 7 23 5 100
1999 64 7 24 5 100
2000 62 7 26 4 100
2001 64 8 24 5 100
1Financial year figures.
2 Figures for some years may not sum to 100 due to rounding.