Freight Facilities Grant (FFG)

We do not propose making any significant changes to this grant. We believe the balance is about right and there is no desire to change the principles of the scheme. Stakeholders have called for an increased budget but this is outside the scope of this exercise. They have also asked for simplification of the application process. We will examine whether administrative steps can be taken to simplify procedures for applicants without compromising evidence needs.

Rail Environmental benefit Procurement Scheme (REPS)

Government and stakeholders appear to be generally content with the existing scheme. To offer greater certainty to business we are considering seeking a State Aid clearance to operate the scheme for 5 years but we propose to keep grant funding contracts with specific companies at the current length of not more than 3 years.

A significant change we would like to pursue with the EC is the inclusion of inland waterways in this grant scheme (which would then need to be renamed). This would mean inland transport - rail and water - would be treated equally in our encouragement of mode shift.