Momentum on infrastructure delivery must be maintained, Logistics UK says

“Logistics businesses want to see ambition in infrastructure delivery, so they can deliver greater productivity and reduced emissions for the country," said Kate Jennings, Director of Policy, Logistics UK, “We recognise the pressures that have brought about these delays, however it is essential to maintain momentum on delivery and avoid a stop-start investment, which reduces business certainty, adds cost to projects and brings economic costs in terms of reduced efficiency of the network.”

HS2, road investment schemes and other ambitious infrastructure projects are vital for unlocking economic growth across the country, the business group argued, and once delivered will mean more capacity on the transport network, fewer inefficient delays from congestion and more opportunities for modal shift, enabling a cut in carbon emissions.

With the conventional rail network at capacity, Logistics UK maintains that HS2 represents the greatest opportunity for delivering a substantial increase in capacity for rail freight in the UK, holding the potential to release capacity on the existing network for up to 144 extra freight trains per day.

Rail is key to realising decarbonisation targets too, Logistics UK argues. With each freight train able to do the job of 77 HGVs, maximising the capacity for modal shift to rail is vital for meeting decarbonisation targets.

On road infrastructure, Logistics UK registered its disappointment on delays to the planned road upgrades to the A27 at Arundel and A5036 in Liverpool. These were disappointing, Jennings said, owing both to the disruption which logistics operators will continue to experience and the delays which local residents will continue to suffer. The A27 is a major route for trade along the south coast to Portsmouth and Southampton, while the A5036 provides vital access to the Port of Liverpool.

“Logistics businesses need assurance that these projects will be delivered,” Jennings concluded, “That is why Logistics UK is calling for a 30-year infrastructure plan to optimise the national freight network, which underpins UK economic growth and productivity every day.”

*www.logistics.org.uk/campaigns/better-infrastructure

Published On: 16/03/2023 16:00:05

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