RAIL FREIGHT AND THE ENVIRONMENT

That this House notes the environmental benefits of rail freight over other transport modes; recognises that an average aggregate freight train can remove up to 120 HGV lorries from the road network; supports Government steps to encourage modal shift from road to rail; and is therefore opposed to the introduction of longer and heavier goods vehicles onto the UK road network that could weigh up to 60 tonnes and be as long as 25.25 metres.