The Department for Transport is likely to review the way it makes grants to switch freight from road to rail.

Railfuture is preparing to submit evidence to the DfT on how the switch to rail could be encouraged.

But it is already clear that Railfuture needs to lobby for more of the motorway network to be classified as "high congestion" because this would unlock higher rates of Freight Facilities Grants.

The way these grants are calculated is based on calculations of "sensitive lorry miles".

Despite the massive problem of road congestion and annoyance caused by heavy lorries on both motorways and ordinary roads, the grant scheme is currently suspended in England. It is not expected to resume until April next year.
 
Railfuture also believes that the sensitive lorry miles scheme needs to include an explicit allowance for reductions in carbon dioxide emissions where goods are transferred from road to rail. 

The theoretical "absence" of congestion on some roads has been used as a reason for offering a low rate of grant, but carbon dioxide is emitted by lorries whether the motorway is congested or not.

Railfuture is inviting members to give their views about where changes need to be made.

They are urged to contact freight expert Philip Bisatt particularly to give him examples which he can quote in his contribution to the DfT.

One example so far is the current addition of a crawler lane for lorries on the M5 between Clevedon and Avonmouth.

According to the sensitive lorry miles map this road is classified as having a "low" congestion rating.

On its website the DfT explains that monetary values are used as a means of quantifying the benefit of shifting freight from road to rail or water.

These values are used in the calculations of Freight Facilities Grant and Track Access Grant and Company Neutral Revenue Support.

The values are designed to accurately reflect the costs to society of HGVs on roads and the economic and environmental benefits to be gained from shifting freight from road to rail or water.

It says: "The Sensitive Lorry Miles were arrived at following an in-depth process of research, and evaluation in conjunction with the Strategic Rail Authority.

"There are seven different road categories. These have been developed to take into account the different type and level of impacts of lorries on different locations, different roads and under different conditions.

"The road categories represent an amalgamation of the road classifications that are available in the DfT's National Transport Model."

Local campaigners might find it useful to make themselves aware of how motorways in their areas are calculated. Sensitive lorry miles maps are available on the DfT website at:

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Information from Philip Bisatt.

If you have any information to help him, please contact him at philip.bisatt at railfuture.org.uk