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The King's Speech: Michelle Gardner, Deputy Director – Policy at Logistics UK responds
“The government has rightly put economic growth at the centre of its ambitions through its first King’s Speech," said Gardner, "and our members will welcome the new legislation to accelerate the delivery of critical transport and energy grid infrastructure."
"With the right planning policies, the logistics sector can optimise the movement of freight and speed up progress to net zero, helping to kickstart economic growth throughout the whole of the UK.
“It is encouraging that local leaders will be empowered to deliver for their communities through credible economic growth plans.
"Regional mayors and local areas have the opportunity to work with the logistics sector to unlock productivity benefits for all businesses, in their regions and beyond. However, it is essential that Local Growth Plans are robust and ensure further English devolution genuinely supports the economy rather than creating patchworks of rules that add to the cost of doing business.
“The planned Railways Bill should end confusion over rail reform and it is encouraging that Great British Railways will have a statutory duty to promote the use of rail freight in addition to an overall growth target set by the Secretary of State.
"While we welcome the government’s commitment for safeguards to ensure freight operators receive fair access to the network, we will scrutinise the details when they are published to ensure that rail freight growth is not inhibited by a lack of track capacity or high costs.
“Employers must be at the heart of a reformed workforce training offer, so Skills England is a welcome step as is the reform of the Apprenticeship Levy, which we have called for over many years. Since the levy was introduced in 2017, transport and logistics businesses have paid £825 million in levy funds yet have only been able to recover an estimated £250 million in the same period.
“To succeed in kickstarting growth, the government must tackle costly trade friction with the EU, so it’s positive to hear the government’s commitment to resetting the relationship with European partners.
"Key to this is ensuring there is a clear plan to prevent the border disruption expected in the autumn when the EU Entry Exit System is introduced in addition to the next phase of the Border Target Operating Model import controls.”
Published On: 18/07/2024 16:30:00
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News In Brief
HS2 builds new 112m bridge linking disused railway station to freight line
Engineers working on behalf of HS2 have completed a key phase in the construction of a 112m bridge linking a disused railway station to other parts of the region.
HS2 Ltd has confirmed nine beams have been placed on the Edgcott Road bridge which links to an existing freight line, which runs parallel for five miles between the Bucks Railway Centre near Quainton and the village of Calvert. The freight line has not been used by passengers since 1960.
They used a 650-tonne crawler crane to lift the steel beams into position, with the operation being completed over the last month.
A spokesperson for HS2 said: “Made of ‘weathering steel’, the beams are a naturally russet brown colour and were welded together on site to form the main span of the bridge which was lifted in six large sections.
“Two 6.8-metre-high concrete piers and abutments on either side will support the steel beams which weigh a total of 610 tonnes. A reinforced concrete deck will then sit on top to support the road, which carries local traffic between Quainton and Calvert.”
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