Kinnock calls for intermodal funds TAKE 1,000
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by David Harris • Neil Kinnock is bidding for more European money to be made available to hauliers switching to a combination of road and rail. Kinnock, Europe's Transport Commissioner, believes that intennodal operations would case congestion on roads like the M4 and A55 in his native Wales.
He says: "It is working in Sweden and the United States and we want to do everything possible to encourage its development. We have a specific programme, Project Action for Combined Transport, which exists to help people with a variety of needs to make that transfer. I'm working for an increase in that budget this year."
As well as seeing more use made of rail, Kinnock wants roads to be improved and he points out that European money is available for this purpose.
"Everywhere I've been in Anglesey this week," he says, "people have been shouting 'When are they going to dual the A5?'--it is clearly something people feel strongly about. This work should benefit from two separate European grants." Electrification of the railway between Crewe and Holyhead was also needed, he adds, but this would have to be funded by the UK Government. And he discounts fears that Fishguard and the corridor through West and South Wales could become a backwater because of investment in the northern route.
"There's no contest between the two," Kinnock explains "We're making the case for improving the South Wales line but we're in difficulty because of the reduced service obligations resulting from rail privatisation."