Written question asked by Maria Eagle (Labour) on Thursday, 14 July 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 19 July 2011. It was answered by Mike Penning (Conservative) on Wednesday, 20 July 2011 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Ports: Railways

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what work his Department has undertaken on improving intermodal connectivity between deep-sea ports and the rail freight network.

Answer: [holding answer 19 July 2011]: The Department for Transport has not carried out any such work. The main studies on this topic have been Network Rail's route utilisation strategies. These have managed capability gaps on the rail network in respect of a number of markets including the rail haulage of deep-sea intermodal containers. The Department has funded a number of recommended interventions as part of its policy of developing a strategic freight network.Major port expansions may require the developers (as for example in the case of Felixstowe South) to enter into obligations to increase rail capability so as to facilitate a sufficient rail share and to avoid detriment to existing rail users.

Secondary information