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Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Answer

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his policy towards not applying for participation in the European Communities 2010 Horizon Plan for Inland Ports and Inland Waterways, under the TEN project, as set out in OJ C228, Volume 43, 9 August 2000; and what funds are available to participating states. [134206] Mr. Hill: The EU is now designating ports for inclusion in the transport trans-European network (TEN) and the Government's policy is that UK ports should be included wherever they qualify. The main criterion for inclusion in the TEN inland waterway network is the ability to take vessels 80m long and 9.5m wide. One non-tidal waterway in the UK--the Manchester Ship Canal--would qualify. However, we have proposed that Manchester and qualifying ports on tidal waterways should be included in the TEN as seaports. There are no TEN funds specifically set aside for inland waterways or ports and any bids for support from the TEN budget must compete against bids for support for road, rail, airport, and other transport infrastructure projects.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

355 c116-7W; 134206

Session

1999-00

Subjects

Inland waterways EU grants and loans Ports Trans-European networks

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk