Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what proportion of Britain's rail track mileage is capable of accommodating full-sized lorry trailers on trains.

Since 2007 the Government has invested around £500 million specifically in improvements to rail freight infrastructure, and we have committed a further £200 million over the next five years. The amount of freight moved on our railways has almost doubled since 1994.

The only railway infrastructure in Britain that can accommodate lorry trailers on trains is HS1 between the Channel Tunnel and Barking, which can carry the standard international 4 metre semi-trailer. It represents 0.75% per cent of Britain's rail route mileage.

Around 80% of the UK domestic semi-trailer fleet has a height of 4.25 metres or greater. These cannot be accommodated on trains in Britain.