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Logistics UK's CEO David Wells OBE addresses Lower Thames Crossing parliamentary reception


David Wells OBE, CEO of Logistics UK, joined MPs, businesses and industry leaders at a parliamentary reception 5 September to highlight the benefits that the delivery of the crossing would have for the UK economy and exports.

Wells pledged Logistics UK's full support for the government's mission to kickstart growth and get the country building again, and how the Lower Thames Crossing would be a key factor in keeping goods moving, particularly between the Channel Ports and the rest of the country.  

"Together, this sector is one of the largest in the UK, contributing £185 billion GVA to the economy and employing 8% of the UK workforce," said Wells. "The sector relies on the UK having high quality transport infrastructure, to move goods in the most productive, strategic and green way. This is key to getting the country building again and delivering a more resilient economy.  

"To make progress, the logistics sector needs the right government partnerships, regulations and investment. With this, it can deliver productivity gains that would supercharge the UK economy by up to £8 billion per year by 2030, according to Oxford Economics.  

"Progress includes putting logistics at the heart of the industrial strategy that the government is committed to, with that industrial strategy boosting the critical enablers of growth, including our transport networks.  

"We are clear that, where there are projects that would obviously strengthen the UK’s strategic logistics network, and benefit the UK economy, those projects should proceed.  

"The Lower Thames Crossing is one of those projects. While Dartford is the only road crossing east of London, don’t think of this as a south east matter only. It is a national matter.  

"The Dartford Crossing is critical national infrastructure. It connects Kent and Essex and, by doing that, connects everything north of Kent – the Midlands, the north of England, Scotland – with Europe.  

"60,000 freight vehicles use the Dartford Crossing every day, and despite its importance to the UK economy, the Dartford Crossing has become one the most congested roads in the country, handling 15,000 more vehicles a day than it was designed for. 

“As a result, 95% of journeys travelling northbound during the evening peak are delayed. That is why we are urging the Secretary of State for Transport to approve the Development Consent Order (DCO) for the Lower Thames Crossing project by the deadline of 4 October."  

A joint business letter will be sent to the Secretary of State for Transport next week calling for the DCO to be approved.  

Sign the letter of support here.

View and download the letter to The Rt Hon Louise Haigh MP here.

Members are encouraged to add their support by completing this short form and providing permission to use their logo. 

Published On: 05/09/2024 16:40:00

 

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News In Brief

Happy birthday, Forth Bridge

It is 60 years since the late Queen Elizabeth II opened the Forth Road Bridge, which has become one of the most recognisable man-made landmarks in Scotland.

It was estimated that the bridge, which for the first time enabled people to easily travel between Edinburgh and Fife, would last for 120 years but it looks like it may exceed that lifespan.

When it was built the bridge – measuring 1.5 miles - was the longest suspension bridge outside of America. Seven years ago, the Queensferry Bridge was built to take up some of the burden from the Forth. Cars, vans and lorries now use the Queensferry bridge while the Forth takes care of local buses, cyclists and pedestrians.

After extensive work carried out on the bridge, experts say it is likely that the Forth will outlast its proposed 120 years.

David Bishop, BEAR Scotland's southeast unit bridges manager, said: "With a continued maintenance regime, the Forth Road Bridge can comfortably surpass its original design life of 120 years."

Which means it could still be standing well beyond the year 2084.

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