🕒 Article read time: 2 minutes
Government announces fresh measures to support innovation in logistics sector
Logistics UK has been highlighting to government that logistics is an innovative sector and can act as an important testbed for other sectors for some time, so it’s been exciting over the past 10 days to see a number of announcements which offer encouragement for the future of our industry.
As announced in last week’s Logistics Magazine, the government has published the Advanced Manufacturing Plan, which includes support for areas of innovation of relevance to logistics.
NEW INVESTMENTS
One of these investments will be £2 billion of new capital and R&D funding for the automotive sector, via Auto2030, to support the manufacturing and development of zero emission vehicles, their batteries and supply chain.
Up to £150 million funding will also be allocated to support operational deployments of self-driving vehicles, extending the current R&D programme to 2030.
Up to £10 million will be made available each year through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme, to support SMEs in aerospace.
The government has also committed £960 million for the Green Industries Growth Accelerator, to support low-carbon hydrogen production, amongst other areas.
As part of the government’s new Battery Strategy, it will also seek to invest £50 million in developing the UK’s battery capabilities it deems to be “a critical component of many devices, modes of transport, and our evolving energy generation capability”.
GLOBAL INNOVATION SUMMIT TECHNOLOGY
At the Global Investment Summit Technology on 27 November, Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan also announced plans to reform the regulatory environment around clean aviation, drone and autonomous marine technology – including through sandboxes and testbed.
The Civil Aviation Authority is launching a consultation on the planned regulatory hydrogen sandbox that will be used to help make regulation fit for purpose and reduce challenges. The ‘Hydrogen Challenge’ will allow increased regulatory readiness, reduced risks and industry-wide collaboration.
Alongside this, Plymouth City Council will be leading on the autonomous marine technology testbed, in a bid to develop an evidence base and a regulatory framework for testing autonomous and prototype vessels for R&D. Milton Keynes City Council is also initiating a drone testbed.
UNLOCKING INVESTMENT
“From the steam engine and Jenner’s first vaccine, through to modern computers and the wonder material graphene, brilliant British ideas have and continue to change the world,” said Ms Donelan.
“The untold story behind each of these breakthroughs is that of the investors, whose backing enabled genius ideas to spring to life out of the lab, and into the world.
“We know that unlocking investment is critical, if we are to seize the potential for science and tech breakthroughs to create new jobs and industries, grow the economy, and tackle problems from health to energy.
“That is precisely why we are deepening our links with private investors to help UK businesses scale up, deepening the UK’s skills base, and working with the sector to build proportionate regulations that encourage innovation and keep people safe.”
Logistics UK continues to press for continued government support for the development and adoption of innovations in the logistics sector – including beyond the current spending period – and will keep members up-to-date with any relevant progress.
*www.logistics.org.uk/campaigns
Published On: 07/12/2023 12:30:00
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In brief
£34 million funding for Greater Manchester A34 improvements
The government has pledged to invest nearly £34 million to deliver crucial improvements to the A34 between Cheadle and Handforth, reducing congestion and improving connectivity.
Roads Minister Guy Opperman visited Stockport on 30 November to lay the first spades in the ground as he confirmed works can start on the A34 corridor improvement scheme. With the A34 long plagued by traffic bottlenecks, the £33.6 million government investment will tackle congestion and reduce local journey times, particularly to Manchester Airport, and is expected to generate more than £72 million in direct economic benefits for Greater Manchester and Stockport.
Steels up at Logicor’s UK flagship development
Logicor, a leading owner, manager and developer of European logistics real estate, has announced that the redevelopment of its flagship UK scheme, Logicor Park Daventry, which has reached a construction milestone with groundwork complete and steel frames erected.
Acquired in 2021, Logicor Park Daventry is being redeveloped to create three highly sustainable warehouses in the UK’s ‘Golden Triangle’.
To date, construction has been pressing ahead with 3,500 tonnes of steelwork from the original unit already demolished and recycled, and 45,000m3 of stone already processed for re-use, reducing the site’s environmental impact.
The site will also include 2.2 acres of woodland with the planting of 4,500 new trees and native species of plants, which will enhance the local biodiversity.
“The Golden Triangle is within a 4.5-hour drive from almost 90% of the UK population, meaning the new site at Daventry will enable us to support the flow of trade vital to everyday life,” said Charlie Howard, Logicor UK’s Managing Director.
“We look forward to welcoming customers next year, helping them to reach more people, more efficiently, while delivering greater sustainable value.”
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