To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent steps his Department has taken to encourage support for projects of strategic national importance, with particular reference to rail freight interchanges. (249769)

The Planning Act 2008 creates the framework for a clearer and more efficient system for considering the development of strategic rail freight interchanges. The Department for Transport also makes available capital grants for such infrastructure through the Freight Facilities Grant scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with Ministerial colleagues at the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and HM Treasury on financial support for rail freight interchanges. (249770)

None. Investment in rail freight interchanges is a matter for the private sector. However, the Sustainable Distribution Fund makes funding available through the established Freight Facilities Grant scheme for rail freight interchanges where they remove lorry journeys from the roads.