Key campaigns - April 2020

INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT

Efficient and effective road networks are crucial for the logistics industry to be able to support the needs of UK businesses, so FTA continues to campaign for the construction of new roads and improvement of existing infrastructure. Following the announcement in 2017 that the government would support the investment of a new crossing over the Thames, FTA has been working closely with Highways England and wider stakeholders on the proposed Lower Thames Crossing. The current crossing at Dartford is congested and additional capacity is needed to provide resilience to the strategic road network and connections to the South East’s international gateways.

Following the initial consultation in 2018, FTA has continued to engage with Highways England on the revised plans to ensure they provide a safe environment for drivers. While planning new road infrastructure is important, it is easy to forget the need for driver facilities which are vital for the safe operation of the network. FTA will continue to lobby for the provision of driver facilities to be part of the project. Government studies have shown almost all lorry parks within the counties of Essex and Kent are at critical levels of utilisation, so it is vital that Highways England reconsiders its position for no rest and service sites as part of the scheme. FTA does not believe that the current project caters for the future demand for lorry parking and the welfare of lorry drivers.

Within FTA’s formal consultation response, the Association also campaigns for Highways England to consider not charging HGVs for using the new crossing to attract vehicles to move away from the congested Dartford Crossing. The Lower Thames Crossing is a key piece of strategic national infrastructure and FTA will continue to lobby that it meets the needs of the logistics industry. FTA’s formal submission to the Lower Thames Crossing consultation can be found on the campaigns section of the FTA website.

COVID-19 GLOBAL PANDEMIC

FTA has been supporting its members as they deal with the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on their operations and supply chains since the beginning of February, through the collection and provision of information regarding production in China and other affected countries, as well as transportation links and conditions. We started by sharing information with those most affected by the situation in China, in particular through the regular web meetings of and communications with FTA’s Shippers’ Council, made up of companies which trade extensively with China and the rest of Asia.

As COVID-19 became more prevalent in Europe, FTA decided to intensify its efforts in March, offering near daily updates regarding transport conditions in Europe to those most affected. Most recently, FTA launched a weekly series of surveys to help us monitor the impact of the coronavirus on industry and inform our feedback to government. Answers collected from members will also play an important role in information sharing on the way other businesses are responding. We hope you will be able to complete this short survey each week when it is emailed to you, as it will help us represent your interests more effectively at this time. We are also issuing a daily e-news supplement to keep all FTA members abreast of the situation, which remains fast-moving and rather volatile, both in the UK and abroad.

Our message to the public has been to avoid panicking and to rest assured that shelves are being replenished and shops restocked regularly, encouraging consumers to refrain from conducting their own stockpiling. Our goal has been to minimise disruptions to supply chains and operations stemming from panic buying. We have also been and continue to be in close communication with government, in particular through regular calls with the Department for Transport (DfT) and the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), to see what adaptations and support might be required by FTA members.

Aside from potential adaptations to delivery rules, we are also considering the need for packages of measure to help those who have been and continue to be affected by what is now a global crisis. Please continue to engage with us, share information through our survey and continue to bring specific issues to our attention as we do our utmost to support the whole of logistics through these trying times.

Published On: 01/04/2020 12:18:01

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