To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his Department’s policy is on the positioning of rail freight interchanges on motorways; and if he will make a statement. (266844)

[holding answer 26 March 2009]: The Strategic Rail Authority document, “Strategic Rail Freight Interchange Policy”, published March 2004, states that rail freight interchanges should have

“high quality links to the motorway and trunk road network”.

This document is still the basis for the Department for Transport’s policy on rail freight interchanges.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport where he has discussed the proposed Kent International Gateway development with Kent Highways; and if he will make a statement. (266846)

[holding answer 26 March 2009]: Officials in the Highways Agency have discussed the proposed Kent International Gateway development with Kent Highways (part of Kent county council) at regular liaison meetings held at the agency’s office in Dorking, at Maidstone borough council’s offices in Maidstone and at the offices of Maidstone borough council’s technical advisers Jacobs in London.