12. To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the change in the volume of rail freight has been since 1997. (100560)

The amount of freight moved by rail increased from 15.1 to 22.11 billion net tonne kilometres between 1996-97 and 2005-06.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect of the reduction in train services calling at the commuter station of Severn Tunnel Junction; and if he will give guidance to First Great Western on maintaining services to rail users who depend on this station. (101628)

The level of service to operate from December 2006 from Severn Tunnel Junction towards Bristol in the morning was specified to meet actual and forecast demand. I expect First Great Western (FGW) to listen to the views of its passengers and stakeholders and to investigate whether changes can be made to services to meet their needs where this proves to be necessary. In this case I understand that, in response to local opinion, FGW is planning, subject to the rail industry timetabling process, to arrange for additional services to stop at Severn Tunnel Junction in the peak hours with effect from the May 2007 timetable change.