Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have for the Thames Freeport project to give preference to freight transport of spoil and building materials via the river between the three sites at Dagenham, Tilbury Dock and London Gateway; and what plans they have to ensure permanently improved waterway links from those sites.

The Thames Freeport has significant opportunities to move freight (including e-commerce), waste, goods and spoil in and out of central London by the river - from the deep-sea terminals in the East to the population centre and industrial base in the West. The greater use of the tidal Thames for moving materials and goods in and out of central London will help reduce congestion, air pollution and emissions. Work is underway to develop and scale up pilot projects, with the Thames Freeport playing a key role.