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Railhub Archive
1996-10-03 DoT-001
Department of Transport0
EC plan for more freight on rail welcomed by watts
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  EC plan for more freight on rail welcomed by watts
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type Press release
note 311
Britain's newly privatised rail companies could benefit from a
European Commission plan to introduce "freight freeways" as a move
towards open access, said Rail Minister John Watts today.
Speaking at the Transport Council in Luxembourg, Mr Watts said that
he "warmly welcomed" the EC White Paper on Railways.
"This White Paper puts a greater emphasis on commercialisation of
Europe's rail networks - which echoes our own privatisation
programme, " he said.
The Minister was particularly interested in the new idea of "freight
freeways" - a network of corridors along which rail freight has open
access, with possible priority over other railway traffic.
"While this idea needs further development, I can see that freight
freeways could encourage more freight traffic to use rail. That in
turn could offer a fresh incentive to freight hauliers who are
already gaining from the benefits of rail privatisation in the UK,"
he said.
The EC said that Europe's railways are subsidised by 30 billion ecu
annually and that a new approach was needed. The Presidency will now
stage a full debate on the White Paper at the December Transport
Council.
Railhub Archive ::: 1996-10-03 DoT-001
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