Question to the Department for Transport:

What discussions he has had with the President of the Board of Trade on the potential merits for future UK trade of better integrating road and rail infrastructure.

The Department’s Transport Investment Strategy makes clear that we can and must seek to enhance our global competitiveness by making Britain a more attractive place to trade and invest. There are a number of initiatives in this area, including:

• A Port Connectivity Study that is considering the levels of current road and rail access to our ports. Effective links to ports are a fundamental part of a successful supply chain;

• The Clean Growth Strategy is examining cost-effective options TO shift more freight from road to rail; and

• The Department will be working closely with the National Infrastructure Commission as it examines the UK’s freight sector and new measures by which Government can help businesses transport their goods faster and more efficiently.