To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what body co-ordinates the national strategy for freight grants. [120074]
The Government support the movement of freight by rail and waterways as a key part of our sustainable distribution policy. The freight grants programme is a demand-led scheme, which encourages the movement of goods by these means.Following the Transport Act 2000, the programme is administered by the Strategic Rail Authority (for rail freight) and by the Department for Transport (for inland waterways and sea freight). There is regular consultation between the Department and the SRA.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much track access grant aid was paid to freight operators in each year since 1992 (a) at current prices and (b) at outturn prices, broken down by location of company. [120075]
Track Access Grants became available in 1994, with the first payment being made in 1996. The table below excludes grants made by the Scottish Executive, which is a matter for the Scottish parliament. Track Access Grant is awarded only to freight train operators, who operate throughout the network.
| £ million | ||
| Value of TAGs | Value of TAGs at 2002–03 prices | |
| 1996–97 | 12.2 | 14.3 |
| 1997–98 | 21.3 | 24.3 |
| 1998–99 | 19.3 | 21.4 |
| 1999–2000 | 17.2 | 18.6 |
| 2000–01 | 13.9 | 14.7 |
| 2001–02 | 19.9 | 20.5 |
| 2002–03 | 20.7 | 20.7 |