Thumbs down for road-rail switch
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• The government has refused to back the switch of more freight from roads to railways.
In the Commons last week Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Ronnie Fearn's demand for action was rejected by Transport Minister Robert Atkins. "The volume of freight carried by road is a reflection of the lorry's flexibility in terms of goods carried, destinations reached and the timing and planning of journeys," said Atkins.
He added that the government will ensure that fair competition exists between the different modes of transport. "Where the transfer of goods from road to rail or inland waterway is shown to provide clear and worthwhile environmental benefits then grants may be paid," he said. 0 Government expenditure on the railways will exceed that on the national road network during the next three years. However, if local authority road schemes are taken into account, overall spending on roads will be higher.