FREIGHT BY RAIL

Early day motion 528, tabled 6 July 2005 by Robert Wareing (Labour). Signed by 76 members.

That this House welcomes the Who Cares? campaign by the rail union, Aslef, which seeks to increase the amount of freight being moved by rail; notes the myriad environmental and transport problems created by the over-reliance on road transport; further notes that an average freight train can remove 50 heavy goods vehicle journeys and that, per tonne carried, rail produces approximately 10 per cent. of the carbon monoxide produced by road transportation; and calls on the Government to do everything it can to promote the greater movement of freight by rail, which would cut pollution and free up roads.

Signatures by party: Labour 55, Liberal Democrat 13, Conservative 2, Plaid Cymru 2, DUP 1, Scottish National Party 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1, UUP 1.