Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the future viability of the rail freight line between Felixstowe and Tilbury ports; and when he next plans to meet trades unions to discuss that matter.

There is no direct rail freight line between Felixstowe and Tilbury, although up to two services a day in each direction operate between the two.

Network Rail’s Freight Market Study, published in 2013, forecasts significant growth in the intermodal market, which is likely to benefit each of Felixstowe, London Gateway and Tilbury ports; however, the choice of port for freight deliveries is a commercial matter for the shipping companies.

On that basis, I have no current plans to meet trades unions to discuss this issue.