INTERNATIONAL RAIL FREIGHT FACILITIES

Early day motion 1286, tabled 31 March 2008 by Jim Dobbin (Labour). Signed by 42 members.

That this House applauds the recent announcement by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government granting permission for a new Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) at Howbury Park and her conclusion that the benefits of the scheme, primarily related to meeting London's need for SRFIs, were well justified; calls on her to ensure that additional sites similarly require her support in order to create a network of international rail freight facilities that link into major freight routes, seaports and other rail-served logistics parks throughout the country, as well as the European network of similar facilities, via the Channel Tunnel; and acknowledges that sites such as the Kent International Gateway are essential to build on the decision made at Howbury Park in order to alleviate the growing pressure on the M20, the M25 and London's main arterial roads in addition to the achievement of the Government's own targets to shift more freight from road on to rail.

Signatures by party: Labour 30, Liberal Democrat 8, Independent 2, Conservative 1, DUP 1.